What Is Preventive Dental Care?

By Claudia Rojas on July 24, 2024 in General oral health

Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining oral health and achieving a lasting, confident smile. It encompasses daily habits such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste, regular flossing, and a balanced diet, complemented by routine oral exams and professional cleanings.

Many dental insurance plans prioritize preventive care due to its pivotal role in oral health maintenance. This often results in coverage at 100% with minimal or no deductibles or co-pays, meaning you experience minimal out-of-pocket costs. 

Which services or procedures are considered preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry encompasses essential services provided by your dentist to proactively reduce the risk of oral health issues that can be costly and uncomfortable to treat. These services include:

• Diagnostic Services: Early detection through oral evaluations (check-ups), X-rays, and professional cleanings.
• Fluoride Treatments: Especially beneficial for children to strengthen tooth enamel.
• Sealants: Protective coverings applied to permanent molars to prevent decay in natural grooves.
• Educational Instruction: Guidance from your dentist or dental hygienist on proper brushing, flossing techniques, and the use of oral hygiene aids.
• Nutritional Counseling: Advice on maintaining a healthy diet for optimal oral health.
• Tobacco Cessation Counseling: Support for quitting tobacco use, which impacts oral health.
• Space Maintainers: Devices for children to preserve proper tooth alignment.
• Preventive Resin Restorations: Protective treatments or decay-arresting medications for children at high risk of tooth decay.

Preventive dentistry services are designed to help your dentist monitor your oral health, encourage healthy habits, and prevent the onset of new dental issues through various treatment options. By catching signs of oral health problems early, both you and your dentist have the opportunity to identify, treat, and potentially reverse issues before they progress.

Protecting Your Smile

It's important to note that services like fillings, root canal therapy, periodontal treatments, orthodontics, or tooth extractions are not categorized as preventive dentistry. These treatments are aimed at addressing existing problems and typically fall under basic or major procedures.

During a routine dental checkup, your dentist conducts an oral exam to detect signs of decay, gum disease, abnormal tooth wear, alignment issues, soft tissue diseases (including oral cancers), and more. This exam is usually followed by a professional cleaning and, when appropriate, sealant and fluoride applications to maintain a clean, healthy, and protected mouth.

Regular preventive dentistry services are crucial. Consistent dental visits and preventive care can help you preserve your overall health and wellness as you age, while also saving you time, money, and potential discomfort by preventing serious dental issues.¹

Wondering how often you should visit the dentist? It's recommended to schedule oral exams and cleanings at intervals determined by your dentist, typically about once per year.2

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my oral health via at-home preventive dental care?

It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits at home in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy in between dentist appointments. The ADA recommends brushing twice per day for at least two minutes each time using a fluoride-containing toothpaste.³ In addition, you should floss at least once per day.

Use a mouth guard when participating in sports or recreational activities that potentially may result in mouth injuries, and ask your dentist about wearing a bite/night guard if you clench or grind your teeth. Additionally, avoid smoking or chewing tobacco – and ask your dentist if you need help quitting. Tobacco use is associated with higher rates of tooth decay, periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other adverse health effects.⁴

Lastly, eat a balanced diet: Avoid sugary foods, soft drinks, and starchy, high-carbohydrate snacks, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consume a varied array of fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals to support long-term oral health.⁵

What are the benefits of preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry reduces your risk for the following conditions:

• Tooth decay (cavities)
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Receding gums
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Losing teeth
• Abnormal tooth wear
• Other oral health conditions
• Having poor oral health may contribute to other serious health issues, like diabetes and heart disease

Instilling good oral health habits in children from an early age is crucial. Encourage them to brush and floss after meals or at least twice daily to promote a lifetime of excellent oral health. Beginning these practices early helps prevent tooth decay and gum issues right from the start, starting with their first teeth. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should have their first dental visit within six months of their first tooth erupting or by their first birthday.

Does my dental plan cover preventive dental care?

Preventive dental care is covered by most dental insurance plans. However, it is important that you check with your dental carrier to understand what services are covered under your plan.

The following preventive services are typically covered:

• Oral evaluations (check-ups) and teeth cleanings: Generally, two per year; talk to your dentist about the right frequency for your oral health needs
• Fluoride treatments: These are typically plan-dependent, so check what services are covered under your plan. Some plans include this service as preventive to children only.
• Dental sealants: These are typically plan-dependent, so check what services are covered under your plan
• Annual X-rays: Depending on your plan, these may also be included under diagnostic services 

¹The Value of Preventive Oral Health Care. (2016, November 2). University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry. Retrieved from dentistry.uic.edu/blog/value-preventive-oral-health-care

²American Dental Association Statement on Regular Dental Visits. (2013, June 10). American Dental Association. Retrieved from ada.org/en/press-room/news-releases/2013-archive/june/american-dental-association-statement-on-regular-dental-visits

³Brushing Your Teeth. (n.d.). American Dental Association. Retrieved from mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth

⁴Tobacco Use and Vaping. (n.d.). American Dental Association. Retrieved from ada.org/en/advocacy/advocacy-issues/tobacco-use

⁵Preventive Dentistry. (2015, December 4). Healthline. Retrieved from healthline.com/health/preventative-dentistry#effects