Everyone knows that brushing and flossing are the first steps to healthy teeth and gums. The American Dental Association recommends brushing and flossing twice daily, but these are not the only steps you can take to prevent dental issues. Seeking out preventative care has a tremendous impact on your overall dental health.
Why Is Preventative Care Important?
Preventative Dentistry can not only save you from pain, decay and gum disease, it can also save you thousands of dollars in otherwise avoidable dental work.
When you brush and floss daily, you are removing the layers of bacteria that cause:
- Cavities
- Enamel Loss
- Tooth Loss
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Tooth Discoloration
If you take your dental care a step further by having regular exams and professional cleanings, you are(1):
- Allowing plaque and tartar to be removed. Once tartar is on your teeth, it can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.
- Finding issues while they are small before they turn into something much larger (think little cavities vs. large ones, and inflamed gums over full blown gum disease).
- Possibly receiving additional fluoride treatments to further protect enamel.
What Can I Do From Home?
Aside from traditional brushing and flossing, you can add in a few more tricks and tips to prevent issues between exams.
- Water picks- These clever devices use water pressure to help remove leftover food particles from teeth and gums. They can help prevent bleeding and inflammation and serve as a great adjunct to flossing.
- Sonicare toothbrushes- Sonicare toothbrushes are electric brushes that thoroughly clean the teeth while massaging the gums. They are powerful but gentle, and may provide a deeper clean than manual brushing.
- Fluoride- Project Seven Water Authority has removed fluoride from our drinking water in Montrose County and supplemental fluoride prescriptions and or treatments can really help with decay prevention.
- Diet- Following a diet low in sugars and avoiding long exposure to acidic foods will also help protect your enamel and save you from tooth decay. Ensure that you are consuming enough calcium to protect teeth, bones and gums from periodontal disease.
Conclusion: Preventative Dentistry Is Important to Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums
Healthy habits start at home and continue through your dental exams and cleanings. Proper brushing and flossing, a balanced diet, and even some fancy gadgets could get your dental health ahead of the game and keep you from needing extensive interventions.
