Effective prevention treatment requires a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the natural dentition and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.
How the Dentist Helps You
Regular dental exams (about every 6 months), teeth cleaning, and X-rays are vitally important to dental disease prevention. Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.
Sealants are like raincoats for your teeth that keep bits of food out, as well as bacteria and acid from settling onto your teeth. If your dentist decides to place sealant over your teeth, it will be an easy and quick process. They will use a gel to form a bond between your teeth and the sealant.
What You Can Do at Home
Good oral hygiene and a balanced diet are the first steps to preventing dental disease at home. When consumed too much, the following foods are especially poor for your teeth:
- Sour Candy
- White Bread
- Alcohol
- Carbonated Drinks
- Ice (Chewing)
- Potato Chips
Brushing
You should brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled brush and you should be able to reach all areas of your mouth easily. A soft-bristled brush is important to the health of your gums. Brushing with a hard-bristled brush will cause the gums to erode over time, and expose the sensitive roots of your teeth. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Worn toothbrushes do not clean teeth well.
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. This will better clean out the plaque from underneath the gums.
- Brush back and forth in gentle and short (tooth-wide) strokes.
- To properly clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
Flossing
It’s well known that flossing is extremely important. Regular use prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar. In addition to the health benefits, removing plaque and excess food particles will brighten your smile, too.
Fluoride
Fluoride is also a great preventive treatment that helps protect the teeth. Certain foods contain acid that attacks your enamel. When you use fluoride, it mixes with your saliva to create an extremely powerful defense against tooth decay and other forms of harmful bacteria, fighting to protect your teeth. Using a mouthwash with fluoride is a great way to include fluoride in your daily health routine. It is recommended to always use toothpaste with fluoride.
To learn more about how our dentists can help keep your teeth clean and in excellent condition for years to come, visit us at any of our locations in:
Comfortable, Trustworthy Care
For over 20 years, Affordable Smiles has been providing sedation dentistry services to our patients to ensure that they have the best experience possible. We want to help you maintain your oral health in a safe, trusting environment. To learn more about managing your dental phobia with Affordable Smiles, contact us today.