A person with a beautiful smile is someone who cares about their teeth. They probably see the dentist every six months and take steps to maintain this smile. What other types of preventative care might they request to keep their smile looking its best at all times?
Regular Checkups
Routine checkups are the best thing any person can do when it comes to their oral health. During each visit, the dentist examines the teeth and gums. Depending on what they see during this exam, they make recommendations for other preventative treatments that will benefit the patient. For example, the patient might need to see an orthodontist because their teeth are too close together. This makes it difficult to clean between them properly. With the help of the orthodontist and dentist, the patient can keep their mouth healthy.
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Routine Cleaning
During a checkup, the patient will probably have their teeth cleaned. This cleaning removes any plaque and tartar that have built up on the teeth. Brushing and flossing every day isn’t enough to remove all the plaque and tartar. Help from a dentist is needed to remove the deposits and reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Practicing Good Oral Hygiene
Individuals need to care for their teeth between cleanings and checkups. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are essential to good oral health. They help to remove any food particles stuck between the teeth along with plaque and bacteria. Flossing is necessary to keep the gums healthy. If the gums aren’t healthy, they cannot hold the teeth in place, so a person should never ignore their gums when brushing the teeth. Take the time to brush the gums too for a healthy mouth.
Dental Sealants
Many dentists recommend dental sealants for children. The teeth at the back of the mouth are prone to cavities because they have pits and fissures where food can become trapped. As children aren’t great at brushing their teeth properly, these molars and premolars often get cavities. The sealants can prevent that from happening. They fill in the fissures and pits to create a smooth surface, protecting the teeth from damage. Some adults also find they are good candidates for dental sealants.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral every human need for strong and healthy teeth and bones. In fact, fluoride can also help reverse dental caries. Many municipal water sources now have fluoride in them, and this mineral is added to many toothpaste and mouthwash products. If a person is at high risk of cavities, the dentist may recommend fluoride treatments. The dentist or their assistant will apply fluoride to the teeth to protect them from damage.
A Healthy Diet
People need to eat a healthy diet if they want strong teeth. When a person eats a lot of sugary or acidic foods, they are at higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease. A balanced diet boosts their oral health and their overall health. Men, women, and children need to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables along with foods that are high in calcium. Water should also be a main component of their diets. Limiting sugary and acidic food and drinks will reduce dental issues, regardless of a person’s age.
Protect the Teeth
People aren’t surprised to see hockey players missing one or more teeth. The pucks used when playing the game can easily knock out a tooth when they are hit hard. However, any person who plays a sport should wear a mouthpiece. It’s best to get a custom mouthguard through a dentist because it will provide the highest level of protection and be more comfortable, which means it is more likely to be used.
Cancer Screenings
Dentists are usually the first ones to spot signs of oral cancer. This is important because one person dies every hour from this disease in America. Early detection increases the odds of the person surviving.
Preventative dental care offers many benefits today. It helps a person maintain their beautiful smile while improving their overall health and well-being. Make oral health care a priority today by calling a dentist for a routine checkup. This checkup will determine what steps need to be taken to preserve one’s gums and teeth now and well into the future.
