Keeping your teeth strong and healthy is one of the most important things you can do to preserve your good dental health. Day-to-day oral care is as important as your regular dental checkups. In fact, many teeth problems and other secondary health issues can be avoided simply by practicing proper preventive dental care.
Preventive dental care helps to avoid many unhealthy dental conditions that can often lead to other secondary health problems:
- Cavities
- Enamel wear/loss
- Gingivitis/gum disease
- Periodontitis
- Heart disease
At-Home Preventive Dental Care
You can easily take care of your teeth at home with the following preventive care habits:
- Daily brushing — We recommend brushing after every meal.
- Daily flossing — We recommend flossing at least once every day.
- Regular dental visits— We typically recommend every six months.
- Avoiding sugary foods
In-Office Preventive Dental Care
At Peace Haven Family Dentistry, we recommend that you schedule a dental checkup every six months. Regular dental office visits will help ensure that your teeth remain clean, white, healthy, and strong. At the same time, we can keep a close eye on your teeth and catch any developing problems early before they become bigger health issues.
During your regular dental visit we may perform all or some of these dental services:
- Dental plaque removal
- Fluoride treatment
- Dental cleaning
- Floss teeth
- Check for cavities
- Check for receding gums
- Check for other dental problems
- X-rays
- Proper hygiene demonstration
- Oral cancer screening
- Periodontal disease screening
Brush Your Teeth Daily
For optimum dental health, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice daily with a fluoride-based toothpaste. While you are brushing your teeth, you should also be sure to brush your tongue. Also pay special attention to your back teeth and the back sides of your front teeth.
Frequent brushing will keep your teeth clean and healthy, remove any buildup of food particles, and prevent bad breath (halitosis). You should also plan to replace your toothbrush three to four times per year or as the bristles start to fray. Many of our patients find that an electronic toothbrush provides an extra boost of plaque prevention.
Floss Between Your Teeth Daily
Daily flossing is essential for overall dental health. When we eat, food particles can easily get trapped in between your teeth. These are the areas where we tend to see the most cavities. Some patients also enjoy using a water pick after flossing for an extra clean feeling.
When you floss daily, you clean out those tight spaces between your teeth. If you’re not sure on the correct way to floss, we’ll be happy to show you during your next visit.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding sugary foods, such as candy, sweets, soft drinks, and sweet tea can go a long way to maintaining better dental health. It’s best to limit your sugar intake, including simple carbohydrates such as white bread, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Call Peace Haven Family Dentistry Today to schedule your next Dental Appointment.
We look forward to seeing you!