If you take good care of your teeth, they will take good care of you. Preventive care keeps your mouth healthy and you happy. It may help you retain your teeth your whole life, and have less dental concerns throughout your life. The two most common causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease.
By preventing these problems from developing, you have a better chance of maintaining your smile. Even if you need dental treatments to help correct imperfections, you can still start preventive care once your mouth is in good health.
Blue Turtle Dental provides several dental treatments to patients to help restore and maintain their smiles at all stages of life. It is never too late to start adopting preventative care into your dental hygiene, and we can help get you started.
What is Preventive Care?
Preventive care is best for children and young people, but even those without any teeth can benefit. For them, there are mouth diseases that can be spotted early with preventative dental care. During a consultation, we will examine your mouth and teeth and recommend any treatment you need to get your mouth back into a healthy condition. We may also point out any areas in your mouth that require special attention. These options will be discussed during your consultation.
What Does Preventive Care Treat?
Plaque, which develops into tartar if left untreated, is one of the biggest threats to good oral health. Bacterial plaque constantly forms on your teeth from the food you eat, especially from sugar. Plaque turns the sugar into acid which can potentially cause tooth decay.
This acid can also cause gum inflammation, swelling and pain. If it is not regularly removed through good oral hygiene and professional dental cleanings, it can cause irreparable damage to the jawbone and other support structures in your mouth, possibly leading to tooth loss.
What is Involved in Preventive Care?
We offer comprehensive preventative care services that may include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Making sure all fillings are in good condition, as fillings can break down and leave cracks where food and bacteria can enter and cause decay deep in the tooth
- Providing instructions on how to brush your teeth and clean in between your teeth with brushes or floss
- Recommending effective oral care products including toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride
- Explaining the effects of diet, smoking and drinking alcohol on oral health
There are also things you can do at home to help maintain your oral health. These include:
- Brushing properly twice every day
- Flossing properly once every day
- Having dental checkups every six months for cleaning and examinations
- Eating a nutritious diet and limiting sugar intake
- Using dental products that contain fluoride
Good oral health is not only important to looking and feeling good, it is also important for eating and speaking properly. If your teeth hurt when you chew, this can negatively impact your quality of life as well as your diet.
If you have frequent problems with bad breath or if your gums hurt or bleed when you floss or brush, it may be time to ask about preventative care.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how to incorporate preventative care measures into your dental hygiene.