Preventive Care

In hopes of cutting expenses many people forgo their regular visits with a dentist and instead wait for a problem to arise. What they fail to realize is that preventive care is a far better way to save money on their teeth. If they take the time to care for their oral heath and keep up regular visits to the dentist, they can avoid expensive and invasive treatments. Problems like gum disease, cavities and unnecessary wear can be costly to repair. Do not put yourself or your smile in that predicament. Instead focus on preventive dental care.

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Best Preventive Care Practices

Oral health care should be an ongoing battle against tooth decay and other dental diseases. The methods for preventive care are simple. By practicing good oral hygiene at home, maintaining a proper diet and scheduling regular checkups you can keep your smile healthy and bright.

Best 5 Practices for Preventive Dental Care

  • 1. Brushing Teeth

    This may seem a little back to basics, but the truth is brushing your teeth twice daily will remove harmful plaque. Unfortunately many people who do brush are still not using a viable method. Proper brushing should take anywhere from 2-3 minutes and every surface of your teeth and gums should be cleaned. A tip you might follow is developing a “bus route” or a regular pattern to follow. For example, work through your mouth in quadrants and follow the same pattern every time. That way no tooth is missed. Also, some areas to focus on include the backs and biting surfaces of the molars as well as the backs of your bottom incisors. That is where plaque tends to build up. Another tip is to use gentle circular motions when brushing instead scrubbing roughly back and forth.

  • 2. Flossing

    Your toothbrush cannot reach every surface. So flossing is another form of preventive care that should happen daily. Properly cleaning between each tooth removes tightly wedged plaque and food particles. These hard to reach areas are the leading cause of decay and gum disease. A tip for effective flossing is to treat it more like brushing, than simply picking things from your teeth. Run the floss up and down, even partly into the gum line, to remove plaque. Again, be gentle and be thorough.

  • 3. Using Fluoride

    Fluoride helps fight decay and strengthen the enamel of the teeth. You are likely getting some Fluoride from dietary sources, but it is not enough. The direct contact that comes with fluoride toothpaste or fluoride treatments is what helps restore enamel. When you regularly use fluoride toothpastes and rinses at home you are making the most of preventive dental care.

  • 4. Eating a Balanced Diet

    You know that healthy food is essential for your body, but did you know it is also essential for your teeth? Carbohydrates and sugars feed the bacteria in your mouth, resulting in acids and toxins. Calcium and phosphorous can neutralize acids and help to remineralize the teeth. This never ending process of mineralization forms a balance when you make healthy eating choices.

  • 5. Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

    Lastly, you should visit your dentist twice a year, no exceptions. Professional cleanings, X-rays and screenings help preserve your smile. Also, having a set of professional eyes on your teeth provides the best preventive care and will stop most dental problems from progressing into serious issues.

Advantages of Preventive Dental Care

By practicing good oral hygiene habits and regularly visiting your dentist in Lake Mary you can preserve not only your oral health, but your overall health and well being. Do not let severe decay affect your smile and your pocketbook. Instead, be smart and choose preventive dental care.

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