subject: Preventative Care Is Vital To Maintaining A Healthy Smile And Lifestyle [print this page] It is no surprise that a bright, white smile can make you appear younger and more attractive. In fact, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, approximately 96 percent of patients surveyed believe that an attractive smile does in fact make a person more appealing. However, good dental health does go beyond the way you look. Your mouth is the gateway to your body, which means that the state of your mouth directly affects your overall health. By taking proper preventive measures, you can help prevent future oral health and general health issues. If you don't take care of your teeth and properly manage your oral health, you may find yourself spending thousands of dollars in restorative dental care. Preventative dentistry emphasizes the importance of ongoing hygiene procedures and daily practices to prevent tooth decay and other dental diseases and conditions.
Maintain Regular Dental Exams
Maintaining regular dental exams is the key to keeping your teeth away from oral diseases and treat the ones that already exist. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends comprehensive dental exams for all patients that are new to a practice and every three years for established patients. Comprehensive examinations are performed to determine any changes in dental and health status since their previous visit. A comprehensive exam also lays the foundation for the routine check and is much more than just a cleaning. It is recommended that you visit your dentist in Garfield Ridge every six months, so that your dentist can take care of routine maintenance and preventive processes that can help you stop and prevent tooth decay
Know How to Properly Brush
Brushing is one of the most effective methods for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. By removing the debris off your teeth and gums in a timely manner, you will be able to prevent bacteria in the food that you eat from turning into harmful, cavity causing acids. Most dentists agree that brushing two times a day is the minimum and if you use fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bed at night time, you can get away without using toothpaste during the middle of the day.
Place your toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in an elliptical motion. Brush the outside of your teeth, inside the teeth, your tongue, chewing surfaces and between your teeth. Using back and forth motions causes the gum surface to recede, and can expose the root surface or make the root surface tender, risking the wearing down the gum line. Effective brushing typically takes approximately three minutes.
Don't Skip the Floss
Flossing is a method for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. It typically requires a thin piece of synthetic cord you insert and move up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth. Many dentists believe that flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque and is a proven method for complementing your brushing routine, helping to prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other dental problems later in life. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping your teeth for a lifetime and decrease your chance of having periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay.
Make an appointment with your dentist in Garfield Ridge, IL every six months for proper care, in addition to daily brushing and flossing. Your dentist will be able to put together an appropriate dental hygiene plan to help keep you smiling longer.
by: Gen Wright
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