• What is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is the practice of caring for your teeth, gums and bite to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and the wear and tear of your enamel. It’s a combination of regular dental check-ups along with brushing and flossing daily. If this is something that you need, schedule an appointment at https://myballwindentist.com/.

• What Does Preventive Dentistry Involve?

Preventive dentistry is an essential part of your health care. When choosing a dental plan, find one that will help cover diagnostic and preventive services such as two teeth cleanings per year, fluoride treatments for children if you have them, and X-rays. Preventative dentistry services may include:

• Regular oral exams that provide early identification of dental problems which will help minimize treatment and cost. It is recommended to do this usually every six months.
• Teeth cleaning lowers your risk for developing tooth decay, gum disease, and more serious dental problems. It will also help promote good oral hygiene habits.
• Routine X-rays which enables your dentist to do a full exam of your teeth, mouth, jaw, neck, etc. to identify any related problems and help treat them.

• How often am I meant to go for dental check-ups?

We all want to keep our teeth healthy; thus, it is advisable to visit your dentist every 6-12 months. Frequent check-ups are good to catch any problems ahead of time. This makes treatment much cheaper and more comfortable.

• How can I best protect my teeth from wearing down? 

Teeth wear down over time due to various factors like aging, talking, eating, all these are unavailable factors. But excessive wearing down could be because of multiple problems like bruxism, this is grinding of teeth or if you have an uneven bite. And excessive wear down can make your teeth vulnerable to decay, but there is a solution to this, that is getting night guards to protect your teeth.

• What Are Night Guards?

A night guard is also known as dental guards, mouth guards, nocturnal bite plates, or bite splints. It is a covering worn over the teeth to protect it from teeth grinding while you sleep at night. Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as Bruxism, is pretty common and can be painful and destructive to teeth. It is mainly caused by stress and anxiety, but other factors such as crooked teeth, abnormal bites and sleep apnea could also contribute to it. 

Night guards work by cushioning the muscles to your jaw, thus providing a barrier between your teeth to help lighten the tension and thus protect your enamel and prevents pain. 

Make a habit of wearing your night guard every day. Wear it just before bed to avoid feeling obnoxious. After four weeks, it will feel a lot easier to wear—the thinner the night guard, the better for you. 

• Why Do Dentists Make Mouth Guards?

Getting a custom-fit mouthguard from a dentist is a sure-fire way of knowing you will receive the best care for the best price with comfort and efficiency. Mouthguards serve multiple purposes for various individuals. 

In sports: Mouth guards promote safety and oral healthcare to those who participate in sports, including, but not limited to, basketball, hockey, wrestling, volleyball and more.

Chronic teeth grinding: will result in chipped teeth. This puts unnecessary pressure on the enamel of your teeth. Chronic grinding can occur if you do not get seen by a dentist and got yourself a mouthguard.

Sleep apnea: This sleeping disorder, as well as snoring, causes a person to stop breathing while sleeping temporarily. A mouth guard will help by pushing their lower jaw and tongue forward and keeping their airway open.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD): This condition occurs when the muscles around your jaw are inflamed, which happens from grinding and clenching your teeth. A mouthguard can assist with this disorder.