How to Prevent Dental Problems

Gum disease is the biggest threat to our teeth, mouth, and gums. Untreated, gum disease causes cavities that eventually cause tooth loss. It begins as gingivitis, which people oftentimes learn affects them when they notice bleeding gums while brushing their teeth. Gingivitis is oftentimes ignored or otherwise diagnosed. It leads to a more serious problem -gum disease. The good news is that gingivitis and gum disease is preventable with proper oral hygiene. 

Practicing proper tooth care is essential for everyone in the family, including children. Apart from gum disease and the threats that it cases, improper hygiene and oral care cause problems such as bad breath and tooth discoloration. This, in turn, affects our confidence, self-esteem and other aspects of our life. Protecting your teeth isn’t as difficult as you might suspect. The following oral health tips aid in protecting your beautiful smile for a lifetime.

Brush Your Teeth

Babies six months and older, children, teens, and adults should brush their teeth and tongue twice daily for two minutes each session. Brush first thing after waking up and again before bedtime. Use a medium-bristle toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and gentle, circular motions when brushing. Don’t forget to brush the back of the teeth and tongue. Brushing twice per day removes stuck-on food and particles and harmful plaque.

Visit the Dentist

Our dentist in Scottsdale provides essential tooth care via dental exams and tooth cleanings. Exams may include X-Rays if needed. Dentists detect any oral health problems during exams that would otherwise go unnoticed, potentially leading to cavities, gingivitis and gum disease. Cleanings whiten the teeth and remove harmful bacteria and plaque from the enamel of the teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends two yearly dental visits for essential oral health.

You Are What You Eat

A diet high in sugary sweets and drinks, carbohydrates and processed foods affect many aspects of your health, including your dental health. It’s time to adjust your diet if you are not eating a menu that would make your mother proud. Maintain a healthy diet that follows the dietary guidelines and eliminate the risks of developing health conditions such as diabetes while protecting your pearly whites.

Consider Dental Sealants

Dentists offer a variety of products that enhance tooth care. Talk to your dental professional to learn more about these products. Sealants are of special interest to many people, especially children. The plastic coating is applied by a dentist to the back of the teeth where they block the crannies and grooves of the teeth. It is these areas where bacteria oftentimes become tapped, causing cavities and other dental woes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended dental sealants for all school-age children, although adults also enjoy the protection.

Drink Tap Water

Maybe it tastes different than bottled water. Maybe it doesn’t include a well-known brand name. People feel strongly against tap water more often than not. But, tap water does contain fluoride, which is beneficial to us all. Don’t miss out on the health benefits of fluoride by drinking only bottled water and include a glass -or two- of tap water in your daily routine. Invest in a water filter for your faucet for crisper, fresher, clean tap water. It’s much cheaper than bottled water and you won’t miss out on getting that dose of fluoride with the many benefits it brings.

Schedule an Appointment With the Dentist

Sometimes, oral health issues arise despite our best efforts to prevent them. Proper attention to problems as they occur is the key to overcoming all dental mishaps. Toothaches are a common problem that many people experience. Suffering through a toothache is not easy, nor is it advisable by any dental professional. A toothache may dissipate after a short while, even though that isn’t the case for many people who experience the pain. Even when the pain subsides, a toothache indicates a sign of trouble deep within your teeth that shouldn’t be ignored. Even if you’ve visited the dentist twice already during the year, schedule your appointment if you experience toothaches or other tooth concerns. Proper dental care can save your smile and a lot of trips to the dentist.

Proper Tooth Care is Important for a Beautiful Smile

Visit the family dentist twice per year, every year. Day in and day out, practice good oral hygiene steps, including brushing and flossing your teeth. These steps are essential if your smile is important. You only get one chance to maintain that great smile. It’s worth all of the (minimal effort) required and then some. Schedule your dental appointment right away, especially if it’s been some time since you visited the family dentist. Nothing is more important than protecting your smile!