Preventive dental care is much more than twice-yearly teeth cleaning. When you keep those regular checkups, you’re giving yourself the gift of good oral health and caring for your overall health in ways that benefit you for the rest of your life.
Your preventive dental care checkups allow you to be proactive in many areas of your oral health, helping you avoid major complications, such as gum disease, which can lead to loss of teeth and bone tissue. And that’s just one of the benefits of preventive dental care.
“Preventive dental care” is somewhat of an umbrella term, under which you’ll find the many practices that keep your teeth healthy and strong. It includes everything from daily hygiene practices, like brushing and flossing, to visiting your dentist and hygienist regularly for exams and cleanings. Even the foods you eat and beverages you consume can be part of your quest for proper dental care.
Professional preventive dental care
When it comes to professional care, preventive dentistry is instrumental in staying ahead of such threats to your oral health as plaque buildup, gingivitis, and the early signs of tooth decay. At District Cosmetic Dental, we partner with our patients, utilizing preventive appointments to educate you in the essentials of good oral hygiene, ensuring you’re doing all you can to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.
Dr. Shaun Alex and his support staff go the extra mile for all of our patients when it comes to preventive dental care.
At its core, preventive dental care keeps you from developing dental issues in the future. And for those dental problems that may already exist, preventive care can limit the effect these threats pose to your dental, and overall, health.
With early intervention, Dr. Alex can call a halt to further damage to your teeth caused by:
- Periodontal disease
- Gingivitis
- Loss of protective tooth enamel
- Cavities
A typical preventive dental appointment will likely include the following:
- Thorough dental cleaning
- A discussion of oral hygiene habits, as well as how diet and lifestyle affect your oral health
- Assessment and evaluation of teeth and gum health
- Check for signs of oral cancer
- X-rays and diagnostic procedures
- Dental sealants or fluoride treatment, depending on the age of the patient
What you can do at home
In addition to practicing excellent oral hygiene, you can prevent tooth decay and gum disease by making some changes to your diet and your lifestyle.
Avoid drinks and foods that are highly processed, high in sugar, or simple carbohydrates, such as processed white flour. Stay away from foods that stick to your teeth, such as caramels, or chewy dried fruits. If you’ve had any chewy, sticky foods, brush your teeth right away.
Limit your intake of citrus fruits and juices. The acid can erode your tooth enamel. After you consume citrus, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth, if possible.
Stop smoking. Smoking of any kind can increase your risk of oral cancer and gum disease. Limit alcoholic beverages, too. Alcohol has an adverse effect on the soft tissue of your mouth, drying it out and contributing to the growth of bacteria.
Don’t chew ice and hard foods such as candy, nuts, and the like. They can cause cracks and fissures in your teeth.
It’s never too late to seek preventive care
If you’ve been behind on regular dental checkups, it’s time to schedule an appointment. Your oral health and your heart health are connected. When you neglect your oral health, bacteria can seep below the gum line, into your bloodstream and pose a threat to your heart. Research has shown a direct correlation between tooth loss and coronary disease.
If it’s been awhile since you’ve had a thorough dental checkup and cleaning, there’s no time like the present. Call us at District Cosmetic Dental or request an appointment through this website..