Many people have a deep an irrational fear of the dentist. You are worried that it will hurt, or maybe that the dentist will find something wrong that will be costly to fix. Regardless the cause, you can prevent this potential panic by following a few steps to ensure that your teeth and general oral hygiene are in tip top shape. This process, of keeping up with the health of your teeth and mouth before a scheduled, necessary procedure is called preventive dentistry.
Of course, there is a much simpler way to describe this “branch” of dentistry. Most of preventative dentistry merely involves the self-care you personally take of your teeth and mouth to help prevent future issues with your gums or teeth. Here are some of the steps you can take to in order to stay on top of your oral health.
If you need a Las Vegas preventive dentist, give us a call to schedule a checkup or consultation today. Remember, the best way to prevent dental issues is to catch them before they ever appear.
Brush Your Teeth
This one should be a bit of a no-brainer. Chances are, you were raised to brush your teeth at least once every day. Well, you should in fact brush your teeth at least twice a day–generally in the morning and after bed–to prevent the buildup of bacteria that can cause plaque, gingivitis, and cavities.
Of course, depending on your oral hygiene, it might be necessary for you to brush more than twice a day–especially if you wear some type of dental alignment corrector. However, be careful that you do not brush too hard or too often as this can wear away at your enamel.
Also, it is important that you brush both your gums and tongue. Just like you teeth, plaque can build up on your gums as well. If not cared for, this can lead to gingivitis and a receding gum line–one potential cause of tooth loss.
Also, be sure to change your toothbrush at least once every four months, sometimes as frequently as every two months, as the bristles can become worn out. This can decrease their effectiveness, and can also lead to the bristles coming loose from the brush and getting stuck in your gums, between your teeth, or other parts of your mouth.
Flossing
Everybody knows that they should floss, but so many just don’t take the time. Food can become embedded in the tight spaces between your teeth. If that food is not removed, it will feed bacterial which will eventually start to eat away at the tooth itself.
If you have braces, you will need a floss threader to get between the brackets. Ask your dentist to give you a demonstration of the proper flossing technique at your next checkup to make sure you are getting the most out of your (hopefully) daily routine.
Balanced Nutrition
You know how you have always been told that eating too much candy will rot your teeth out? Well, the truth may not be as simple as that, but consuming too much of the wrong kinds of foods and beverages can definitely have a negative on your dental and oral health.
Moreover, your teeth require plenty of nutrients to stay healthy and strong. A balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables will provide the vitamins your teeth need to remain healthy. Also, plenty of water will not only hydrate the mouth, it will also help dislodge potential food and bacteria.
Even if you do not need any work done, visiting a dentist allows your provider to catch any potential issues that may be creeping up. A dental cleaning is often more thorough than what you can provide yourself at home and will ensure overall good oral hygiene.
Preventative dentistry can help you prevent cavities, gingivitis, enamel loss, and periodontitis. Poor oral and dental health has been linked to problems with diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and cancer. With such risks, why wouldn’t you want to practice good preventive dentistry? If you need to schedule an appoint with a Las Vegas preventive dentist, call our office to make an appointment and take control of your dental hygiene today.
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