The Dental Care Approach Is Not the Same as Health Care: Preventive vs Restorative Approaches

Posted on September 17, 2019 in Dental Health

Dental care and health care both work to keep you healthy. However, their approaches to achieving overall health are very different. While you typically go to the doctor for existing problems such as a sore throat, stomach pain, and other conditions, oral health care often works differently. Instead of waiting for a problem to occur, dental professionals also work to prevent problems before they happen. This is called preventive care.

Let’s dive into the differences between preventive dental care and restorative dental care to get a better understanding of why they are both important to good oral health.

Preventive dental care vs restorative dental care

Preventive dental care and restorative dental care both keep your mouth healthy.

Preventive care works to prevent serious problems from developing. This includes seeing your dentist twice a year for a cleaning, brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, and flossing daily. Tending to any other oral health concerns like teeth grinding or a dry mouth should also be part of your preventive care routine.

If preventive care is not enough, restorative care may be needed to fix an issue. For dental health, this may be filling a cavity or getting a root canal procedure. Although preventive care is meant to stop these problems, restorative care makes sure they won’t get worse.

Good preventive dental care

Good preventive oral health care starts with regular visits to the dentist each year. At home, it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Habits that can negatively impact our oral health include smoking, consuming sugar, having a poor diet, and alcohol consumption. Reducing these habits while maintaining a good routine can make a huge impact on your oral health.

Having dental insurance is preventive dental care 

People with dental benefits are more likely to see the dentist regularly. People with dental coverage are also more likely to practice good preventive dental care at home. Learn more about our customizable and affordable dental insurance plans today.  

*Updated June 2023