Preventative Care: 8 Ways You Can Be Proactive In Caring Your Teeth
July 29, 2020
WHAT IS PREVENTATIVE CARE
If you don’t care for your teeth, you will lose more than just a beautiful smile. Eating and talking are more difficult and implants and dentures can be very costly. There is nothing difficult about good hygiene and the benefits are well worth the effort!
GOOD ORAL HYGIENE
Starting with good oral hygiene at a young age is key to creating excellent lifetime habits. Once the first tooth erupts, it is time to establish a routine. Simply wiping a baby’s first teeth with a wet washcloth is sufficient, moving to a toothbrush as they grow. Daily brushing and flossing is a routine that starts young and can pay off for life.
ROUTINE EXAMS
Visiting your dentist every six months for cleanings and a checkup is also excellent for preventative care. Your hygienist will make sure that your teeth are in excellent shape, getting rid of any plaque or tartar buildup and making you aware of any spots you may be regularly missing when you brush. They also are able to see signs of decay well before it might be visible for you.
SEALANTS
To keep your children’s baby teeth in tip-top shape, most pediatric dentists recommend sealants. The sealant is put on your child’s tooth, especially their molars, and acts as a coating to keep plaque from taking up residence on the tooth enamel.
As children are growing and learning to brush their teeth, they are apt to miss spots or skip brushing occasionally. Sealants help ensure that baby teeth stay healthy until their adult teeth come in.
CLEANINGS
No matter how well or often you brush and floss your teeth, there is no way to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. When you get a cleaning, your hygienist removes all of the plaque and tartar that has built up. By doing this, you are much less likely to get cavities, ultimately saving you time, money, and potential pain!
FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
Using a fluoride toothpaste is another method for preventing cavities but you can take it one step further. Your dentist may suggest a fluoride treatment that has a higher concentration of fluoride, applying by brush or swab. Fluoride is a mineral that not only can help prevent cavities, it actually can repair small areas of decay if caught early enough.
EDUCATION
Although not a tooth-centric action, properly educating yourself and your family on the importance of proper dental hygiene is ultimately key to success. If you portray just how important it is, making sure they are aware of the ramifications of not taking care of their teeth.
CATCH ISSUES EARLY
If you feel a “zing” when you take a drink of something cold or when you eat a bite of sugar, you may have the beginnings of a cavity. Call your dentist as soon as you feel anything different going on in your mouth. Getting ahead of issues can help save your tooth. Getting behind them can create a disaster.
Also call your dentist if you chip your tooth, no matter how small the chip. Absolutely any issues can be fixed much easier if they are managed quickly.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE – WHAT IS IT AND HOW CAN I PREVENT IT?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection in your gums. This infection, if left untreated, can cause pain and could lead to tooth loss.
The best method of prevention for gum disease is to see your hygienist regularly. One component of a dental cleaning is checking for any tooth or gum issues. A deep cleaning, under the gumline, may be needed to combat the infection. Additionally, root planing (smoothing out the root of the tooth so the skin can adhere better) and medication may be prescribed.
At Park Crossing Dentistry, we are committed to the overall dental health of our patients in the Charlotte area. Let us help you take good care of your mouth, keeping your smile beautiful for years to come. Give us a call today at 704-541-5059 or make an appointment on line: parkcrossingdentistry.com.