Preventive Dentistry: How You Can Help Your Teeth at Home

Let’s face it — no one likes having cavities filled. Your dentist encourages you to brush and floss your teeth daily. Brushing and flossing are preventative dentistry, but you can do many other things to keep a healthy smile. 

Facial32 Dental Esthetics offers preventive dental services, from semi-annual cleanings to thorough examinations. We also encourage oral hygiene habits that you can do at home to keep your smile strong and healthy throughout your lifetime. The goal is to help you prevent tooth decay and gum disease while encouraging proper oral hygiene.

What Is the Goal of Preventive Dentistry?

What is preventive dental care? It may sound complicated, but it isn’t. It is vital to good oral health. Routine dental care is a huge part of preventative dentistry, and visiting your dentist is the other part.

The goal sounds simple: Keep your teeth healthy and strong to last a lifetime. It may seem easy in many ways, but unexpected factors can sometimes complicate this task. That’s where your dentist can help. A dentist can provide a variety of preventive treatments, including:

  • Professional teeth cleaning
  • 3D imaging and X-rays
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Sealants
  • Advice on home preventive dental care

What Does a Dentist Do in Preventive Dental Care?

Dentists like Dr. Diana Shoe use preventive dentistry to help keep teeth and mouths healthy. Oral health is vital to overall health. Those with unhealthy teeth have a harder time digesting food, which can cause nutritional deficiencies. Unhealthy teeth can also cause headaches, jaw pain, and infections. 

Our goal is to keep you healthy by keeping your teeth healthy. That’s why we offer preventive dental services that will help your teeth now and help keep them healthy in the future. We provide preventive care through regular cleanings and check-ups, which allows us to catch dental issues early. 

When you visit Facial32 Dental Esthetics in Hanover, PA, we will thoroughly examine the surface of your teeth, gums, and jaws for any possible issues, including cavities, signs of gingivitis, or other gum disease. 

We will then provide a thorough, deep cleaning of your teeth, including tartar, plaque, and stain removal. Once your teeth are clean, we can advise you on how best to keep them clean until your next six-month visit. 

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Preventative Dental Care at Home 

It’s just as important to practice preventive dental care at home as it is to visit your dentist. You can do so much to care for your teeth and keep them healthy! 

The best thing you can do for your oral health is to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. This is a fancy way of saying brushing and flossing your teeth every day. Daily brushing and flossing reduce the plaque and tartar that can cause cavities and gum disease. 

It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet that includes a good balance of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and D. 

Best Brushing and Flossing Tips

Here’s how to get the most out of your brushing and flossing. 

  • Floss first. Dental floss moves plaque and food particles between your teeth onto the tooth’s surface, where they can be easily brushed away. 
  • Use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride remineralizes your enamel, making it stronger and less vulnerable to bacteria and plaque. 
  • Don’t rinse your mouth after brushing. Spit out the excess toothpaste, but keep as much on your teeth as possible.
  • Don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes after brushing. The fluoride needs that time to react with your saliva and penetrate the enamel. 
  • Don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes after mouthwash. If you use fluoride mouthwash, give it the same time to work as your toothpaste for maximum protection. 
  • Brush at least twice a day. It’s OK to brush after every meal, but if you can’t, at least brush in the morning and right before bed. 
  • Brush for at least two minutes at a time. Take your time to get every surface of every tooth, holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to cover the surfaces best. 
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When Would I Need More Preventive Dental Treatment?

Regular brushing and flossing can help most people prevent cavities and periodontal disease. Sometimes, other factors make this more difficult. 

People with certain genetic or medical conditions may be more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Those with diabetes, thyroid disorders, or acid reflux, or women who are pregnant may be more vulnerable to tooth decay or gum disease. 

Certain medications can also increase the risk of periodontal disease or tooth decay. This can include chemotherapy for certain cancers or antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, or other medications that cause prolonged dry mouth. The lack of saliva allows plaque and bacteria to build up faster, causing tooth decay. 

What can you do in these situations? Try brushing your teeth after every meal instead of just twice a day. Visit your doctor to see if there are alternative medicines that won’t cause dry mouth or tooth or gum disease. You can also talk with your doctor about mouth sprays and washes that keep your mouth moist and combat dry mouth. 

You can help, too. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid drinks with high sugar or sodium, such as sodas, fruit juices, or sports drinks. Rinse your mouth after you eat if you can’t brush and floss. 

Preventive Dentistry in Hanover, PA

A healthy smile does a lot more than make a good first impression. It’s also a gateway to a healthy body. Facial32 Dental Esthetics can help you get a beautiful smile and keep it throughout your life. Schedule an appointment for dental care in Hanover, PA, to see what you need for a healthy smile. 

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