Preventive Care Tips Your General Dentist Wants You to Know

Preventive care is a great way to make sure that you never need any of those dental procedures that everyone tries to avoid. It is the best way to limit the dentist’s activities in your mouth during professional teeth cleanings and routine exams.

Why preventive care should be taken seriously

People that keep their mouth healthy end up improving the health of their entire body. There are numerous health benefits of using preventive care to keep the teeth healthy. Here are some of them:

• Avoiding sugary foods prevents tooth decay as well as diabetes
• Preventing bacterial infections that cause cavities and gum disease means that a person will never have an oral infection spread to the rest of their body
• Regular oral checkups help with early detection of oral cancer
• Poor oral health has been associated with heart disease and osteoporosis, so good oral health may help to keep such diseases at bay

To reap these benefits, use the following preventive care measures to keep your teeth, gums, jaws and mouth in good health.

1. Have a rigorous oral hygiene routine

Brush your teeth in the morning and before you go to bed. Whenever possible, brush your teeth after a meal. Floss your teeth at least once a day, when you have the time and energy to floss thoroughly. During the workday, keep the mouth clean and hydrated by drinking water. After a meal, use water to remove food particles from the mouth.

Another great way to clean the teeth when brushing is not an option is to munch on a juicy apple or some crunchy vegetables. Crunchy fruits and veggies nourish the body while keeping the mouth clean.

2. Get routine dental checkups

Have the teeth examined by a dentist at regular intervals and use dental visits to get the teeth cleaned by a professional. Routine checkups also allow the dentist to catch dental problems before they become serious. They are also important when it comes to early detection of diabetes or oral cancer.

3. Stick to a healthy diet

Minimize the intake of sugary foods and carbonated drinks. They eat away at the teeth’s enamel and encourage mouth bacteria to multiply and wreak havoc in the mouth. Choose to snack on crunchy fruits and vegetables. These are not only nutritious, but they also scrub the teeth, gums and tongue and remove bacteria and plaque. Drink healthy beverages like fluoridated water and tea; they kill harmful bacteria and help to rebuild tooth enamel.

4. Do not ignore halitosis

Apart from causing social anxiety, persistent bad breath could be a sign of lax dental hygiene or a serious health problem in the mouth or in the body. The most common underlying causes of bad breath are:

• Tooth decay or gum disease
• Problems in the digestive tract
• Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract

Left untreated, these underlying causes usually develop into serious and expensive health conditions.

5. Do not ignore a small dental problem

Just because it doesn't hurt does not mean it will stay that way. A small cavity grows into a big cavity and a cracked tooth can become infected. When a tiny dental problem is detected, get the dentist to fix it as soon as possible.

6. Use a good toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes help to scrub off plaque from those hard to reach places. A person who opts for a manual toothbrush should choose one with a head that is small enough to comfortably reach the back teeth. The toothbrush should have bristles that are not too stiff and not too soft. Change out the toothbrush at regular intervals as recommended by a dentist.

We do it every day anyway

Preventive care is not some big chore that takes a huge chunk out of your day. It is one of the little things in our daily lives that we do without a second thought that helps us keep a healthy lifestyle. Talk to one of our dentists for more tips for keeping your teeth healthy.

Request an appointment here: https://familychoicedentistry.com or call Family Choice Dental at (505) 634-5657 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.

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