How to Have Your Healthiest Smile Ever
Would you like to have a healthy smile? Of course, you would! But, do you realize how easy it is to get a beautiful, healthy smile and to maintain it? It’s a simple trick that is missed or ignored by many people, but it could save your smile, a great deal of heartache and is far easier on your wallet. All you need do is to practice good preventative dentistry, and the process begins with visiting your dentist.
Book Your Dental Checkup
Has it been a while since you have seen your family dentist? Do you ignore those reminders about regular checkups? Perhaps you wait until you can feel something is wrong before seeing the dentist? It is tempting to skip your regular dental examinations if you feel your teeth and gums are perfectly healthy, but it’s probably one of the worst things you can do for your dental health. Often, the earliest signs that something is wrong will not create any symptoms but are easily detected by your dentist. As with any type of disease, it’s a huge advantage receiving a diagnosis at this early stage because treatment is less invasive, less expensive, is quicker and in the case of tooth decay, will help to preserve more of the natural tooth structure.
After your dentist has examined your mouth, they can discuss how well you’re doing looking after your teeth and gums, and whether you need any treatment. If you do, every option should be explained in detail, so you fully understand how it will help to restore your dental health. You’ll also learn how frequently you should see your dentist. Usually, most adults with reasonable dental health will need biannual checkups. If you are currently struggling with your dental health, your Dentist In batavia may suggest more frequent checks so they can monitor your oral health more closely.
How Your Dental Checkup Can Help Your General Health
Your mouth also reveals a great deal about your general health. Signs of potential problems with your overall health can sometimes first be seen in your mouth so if needed, your dentist can recommend you visit your general practitioner for a medical checkup. Yet another reason for regularly seeing your dentist is to make sure you receive oral cancer screenings at appropriate intervals. Oral cancer can be challenging to treat when it is diagnosed late in the day, and unfortunately, this is often the case.
The early signs of oral cancer can show as changes to the texture or color of your oral tissues, including the inside of your cheeks, lips, gums, the roof and floor of your mouth, and your tongue. Your dentist will check all these tissues visually and will also look for sore spots or ulcers that are failing to heal properly. An oral cancer screening is quick, painless and non-invasive and could potentially save your life. It’s especially crucial to receive regular oral cancer screenings if you smoke, have been exposed to the human papillomavirus, or have a family history of cancer. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that approximately a quarter of all people diagnosed with oral cancer have no known risk factors.
Don’t Forget Your Hygiene Appointment
When you schedule your dental checkup, don’t forget to book a hygiene appointment at the same time. During your hygiene appointment, your teeth are professionally cleaned, removing all plaque and calculus buildup and leaving them feeling beautifully smooth and fresh. It’s a crucial procedure because plaque and calculus contain bacteria that can inflame and infect your gums, greatly increasing the risk of gum disease, a condition that can cause tooth loss and which may negatively impact your general health.
Once your teeth are cleaned, your hygienist can talk to you about your oral health routine at home, if necessary. They will identify any areas that require extra care when you brush and floss your teeth, and they can also provide useful advice on how to improve your oral care routine.
Not sure how to floss thoroughly or only floss before you see the dentist? Ask your hygienist to show you how to floss correctly. Once you know the proper techniques, it’s easy to floss all your teeth in just a few minutes. It’s a crucial part of your oral care routine that will ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy and strong. At the same time, regularly removing plaque from your teeth helps to keep them looking brighter and whiter. When plaque isn’t removed it soon hardens into calculus which can appear yellow and stained.
Regularly visiting your hygienist is another vital part of your preventative dental care plan. Most people need to see a hygienist every six months so booking an appointment at the same time as your dental checkup is ideal. However, if you do have any current problems such as ongoing gum disease, you may need more frequent hygiene appointments to help you maintain healthy gums more easily.
Maintaining a Good Oral Hygiene Routine at Home
In between your dental visits you only need to spend less than 10 minutes each day looking after your teeth and gums. It is vital to make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and that you floss once-a-day. Usually, the best times to brush your teeth are first thing in the morning and last thing at night, but if you want to brush more frequently then, of course, that’s fine! It is preferable to floss your teeth last thing at night because your mouth is drier while you sleep, and the drier conditions allow bacteria to thrive.
The cleaner your mouth, the fewer bacteria will be able to build up. However, if it’s more convenient to floss in the morning, it’s not a problem. It is more important to make sure it’s a regular habit. If you find it awkward to floss or simply too tiresome, think about getting a water flosser which is a small electrical device that makes flossing easy and quick, and it’s highly effective too!
Choose good quality toothpaste, preferably with fluoride, and make sure you change your toothbrush regularly. Usually, it’s necessary to replace your toothbrush every three months but if you notice the bristles begin to look worn and splayed, change it more frequently. New toothbrushes only cost a few dollars, and it’s a false economy to try to make your brush last longer because it won’t clean your teeth effectively.
