Definition
Preventative care is the most important aspect of maintaining a healthy smile, and the least expensive. It is important to schedule exams and cleanings on a routine basis to keep your mouth healthy and catch any issues before they become large and more expensive to treat.
Prevention
Routine preventative care is an important step to preventing issues such as:
- Cracked or Chipped Teeth
- Tooth Decay
- Root Infections
- Gum Disease
- Receding Gums
- Mouth Pain
Home Treatment
In addition to regularly scheduled visits to your dentist, there are several key steps you can take at home to help keep your smile healthy:
- Hygiene – The best and simplest way to keep your mouth healthy is to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, or after every meal. This keeps the plaque from building up on your teeth and causing things like tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
- Fluoride – The use of fluoride based toothpastes and mouthwashes help to strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay.
- Diet – A healthy, calcium rich diet keeps your body from leaching the calcium out of your teeth to reinforce other areas of your body. Additionally, keeping away from sugary foods and foods high in carbohydrates will help to prevent cavities.
- Smoking & Drinking – Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol cause dry mouth, tooth discoloration and plaque build up. Smoking can cause even more serious issues such as gum disease, tooth loss, or oral cancer.
- Mouth Guards or Splints – If you have issues with TMG (TMD), Bruxism, or you play sports, you should invest in a custom made mouth gaurd. These will help protect your teeth against wear down, chipping and cracks.
- Education – Take the time to educate yourself about oral health and dental procedures. Knowledge is power!