The Role of Regular Dental Checkups & Professional Teeth Cleaning in Preventative Dentistry

Proper preventative dentistry is a necessity for everyone who truly desires to avoid big dental problems in the future, but to the majority of our first-time dental patients, that just means brushing and flossing their teeth regularly.

However, if at-home preventative measures are to be successful, we teach our patients that those measures must be combined with a customized plan of regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning in our office.

When you visit us for a complete checkup and teeth cleaning, our goal is to prevent small problems from becoming bigger. Our exam will include looking for any signs of broken teeth or restorations that need repair, as well as any signs of teeth grinding, gum disease, or oral cancer.

It is true that proper preventative dentistry certainly begins at home, but to make sure it has its best chance at ultimate success, we have a little advice for you.

Here are a few tips:

• Choose a toothpaste with the least amount of additives.
• We recommend you follow our professional advice as much as possible, such as getting regularly scheduled in-office teeth cleanings.
• Be sure to rinse your mouth with water after every meal that includes sugary drinks and foods and try to avoid them as much as possible.
• Always brush your teeth at an upward or downward forty-five-degree angle toward your upper and lower gums.
• Regular teeth brushing should last at least one to two minutes each time, two to three times a day.
• Be sure to floss well every day, preferably before bedtime, and try to use a WATERPIK if you can.
• Make certain that your mouth wash is alcohol-free.

A lack of good preventative dentistry is one of the main and most common causes of gum or periodontal disease, which develops due to the buildup of large amounts of harmful bacteria around and under the teeth and gums.

These destructive bacteria flourish deep inside the gum pockets that surround each tooth and often result in a chronic infection that can erode and inflame your jawbone.

Listed Below Are Six Important Facts Everyone Should Know About Periodontal or Gum Disease:

1. It is the primary cause of tooth loss.
2. It affects approximately 80% of the American adult population.
3. It begins with a milder form known as gingivitis but can advance to the more serious, advanced form known as periodontitis, if not treated soon enough.
4. Only about three percent of those affected ever seek any ongoing treatment.
5. It can sometimes take many months or even years to develop discernible symptoms, because the condition is often considered a silent disease, with no warning signs in the early stages.
6. It has usually developed into an advanced stage before a person is aware of the symptoms.

Listed Below Are Six Common Signs of Periodontal/Gum Disease:

1. Chronic bad breath/halitosis
2. Darker red gums or gingiva
3. Receding gums
4. Swollen gingiva/gums
5. Loosened teeth
6. Unusual bleeding of the gums

The Lack of Good Preventative Dentistry That Can Lead to Periodontal/Gum Disease Can Also Affect Your Entire Body 

Diseased or infected gingiva (gums) can eventually affect your entire body if it is not treated effectively in its early stages. The mediators of inflammation and bacteria that originate in gingivitis or periodontitis within your gums are not merely localized infections but can also be circulated by your blood throughout your body.

This type of bacteria and inflammation is also considered to be the root cause of several kinds of medical conditions, such as certain cancers, kidney diseases, pregnancy complications, heart diseases, strokes, and diabetes.

It should now be easier to see just how important proper preventative dentistry practices can be…not only to your oral health but to your overall health as well! Whether you are now ready to begin putting proper preventative dentistry methods to work for your and your family’s future dental health, or you have already experienced gum disease problems, please give us a call today. We are passionate about your oral health, and we are committed to helping you begin correct preventative dentistry practices that will maximize your overall physical health as well.