Preventive Dentist in Salt Lake City
Maintaining regular preventative dental care is crucial for ensuring the long-term health of your mouth. This includes both how we clean our mouths as well as what we put into it in terms of diet. Preventative dental care really breaks down into two categories: home care, and dental checkups. By maintaining proper oral hygiene at home and regularly scheduling checkups and cleanings, your teeth can avoid having to undergo more complex procedures in the future.
Preventative Care at Home
Oral Hygiene
Taking care of your teeth daily is crucial for long term tooth and mouth health. Developing a routine that includes brushing after mealtimes and before bed, flossing regularly, and eating a balanced diet is a great way to keep your teeth white and healthy.
Regularly brushing your teeth is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene. While it is generally acceptable to brush your teeth twice per day, you may want to brush your teeth after every meal and before going to bed. It is also recommended to use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
To prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar, brush your teeth gently at an angle along the gum line and teeth. To maintain fresh breath, brush the surface of your tongue to remove any remaining food particles.
Flossing daily is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene, in addition to regular brushing. Bacteria commonly reside in the narrow spaces between teeth that are difficult to access with a toothbrush. Pairing flossing with mouthwash can help eliminate bacteria and leave your mouth feeling fresh.
Balanced Diet
Maintaining proper teeth and mouth health can be achieved by following a well-balanced diet and minimizing sugar intake. These practices can also contribute to preventing other issues like snoring and sleep apnea.
Regular Dental Visits
While brushing and flossing are essential daily habits, dental check-ups are equally important for overall oral health. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis offers several benefits that can positively impact your oral health and overall well-being.
Regular dental visits are important for identifying and addressing oral issues such as cavities and gum disease. By attending these visits, your dentist can catch these problems early on, preventing them from becoming more painful and expensive to treat.
Dental problems can significantly impact various aspects of daily life, including eating, speaking, sleeping, and performing everyday activities. Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health. These checkups can help prevent tooth loss, bad breath, and sensitivity in your teeth. By scheduling regular visits to the dentist, you can ensure that any potential issues are identified and addressed early on, allowing you to maintain a healthy and confident smile.
Dental visits can also lead to other preventative dental services such as:
- Dental sealants – invisible plastic coatings that fill in the grooves of the back of the teeth and prevent bacteria and cavities
- Oral cancer screening – early detection and treatment is the best chance of surviving oral cancer
- X-rays – dentists use x rays to develop patterns in your teeth, find diseases, and check for bone volume and density
Develop a Preventative Plan Today
If you are not currently brushing and flossing regularly, it is time to start. Develop a daily routine that becomes habit and you can prevent various dental issues in the future. Likewise, if you have not had a checkup at the dentist in over six months, schedule a checkup and cleaning today with Allan S. Thomas Dentistry. We can get you on a recurring schedule and ensure that your oral health is at its best. Call today!