Your teeth serve many important purposes throughout the course of your life. Not only are they essential for biting, chewing, and other eating-related tasks, but they help keep your jaw structure strong and fend off threats. Your grin faces many threats on a daily basis and, unfortunately, there are significantly fewer natural defenses. Because your oral health is influenced by all of the components contained in the oral structure, it is important to consider them all when practicing routine dental prevention. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO dentist will discuss the ins and outs of an effective preventive routine and what you should know.
Looking at the Role of Dental Prevention
Whether you are aware of it or not, dental prevention is considered to be the name of the game when it comes to keeping your oral health in check. It is often characterized by treatments or practices that aim to reduce the presence of bacteria-laden plaque that form on and around the teeth, strengthen your natural defenses, and provide better overall hygiene.
Though you may associate preventive practices with brushing your teeth, it is important to recognize that this is far from the only step you need to consider. As a matter of fact, there are several sources of threat to your smile that it endures as the day goes on, and unfortunately, there are significantly less options for fending them off.
In order to best care for your smile, your dentist recommends scheduling an appointment with our team to learn about proper practices and ways you can improve your routine. To learn more about this process and how our team can help, give us a call today.
At-Home Practices
In terms of practices you can engage in at home to prioritize your oral health, there are several that your dentist recommends practicing on a daily basis. These include brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing between meals or at least once a day, and rinsing using an antiseptic mouthwash.
Taking a closer look, brushing should consist of small circles as opposed to back-and-forth motions. Flossing is also essential and should not be ignored, as it helps you prioritize your periodontal or gum health. Contact our office to learn more today.
How Your Diet Plays a Role
In addition to the steps you can take to practice direct prevention, knowing what factors influence your smile and how can also be helpful in taking control of your smile’s health. For example, the many foods and beverages you consume all have an impact on your teeth and their health.
When you consume a cup of coffee for breakfast day-in and day-out, the staining pigments it contains can cause discoloration and staining to your teeth. Additionally, food items high in sugar can directly lead to tooth decay and infection, meaning paying mind to your smile’s health and needs is essential.
In-Office Checkups and Periodontal Cleanings
Of course, no preventive dental routine would be complete without your six-month checkup and cleaning visits. During this visit, our team will carefully examine your oral structures for any signs of damage, trauma, infection, or other concerns. After this step is complete, we will perform a gentle cleaning to help rid your mouth of the plaque deposits that have nestled into the difficult-to-clean areas of the mouth.
In addition to your regular visit, ask our team about periodontal cleanings to help address early signs or symptoms of gum infection. For more information about this process and how we can help, reach out to our team today.
Fluoride and Sealants
We recognize that smiles sometimes need a little help in order to maintain their health. This is where dental fluoride and sealant treatment can come in handy, as they offer a couple of different ways to better fend off threats and strengthen your natural defenses. Sealants are thin layers of dental acrylic that are painted over the back molars, whereas fluoride treatment bonds with your natural enamel to strengthen your protection from harm.
In addition to the benefits of sealants and dental fluoride, bringing your little one in early for a children’s visit can help lay the foundation of an effective preventive routine for life. Give our office a call to learn more.
Don’t Forget to Drink Water
Finally, but certainly not least, your water intake plays an important role in your smile’s health. To learn more about dental prevention and how our team can help, contact Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO by calling 816-942-7669 and schedule your next visit with our team.