Preventive dental care can save you time and money, and guard against the development of painful and serious health conditions. By keeping up with your regular dental visits, you can halt the advancement of most problems with simple measures, rather than needing to undergo invasive and expensive procedures. Routine care is about more than cleaning your teeth every day. Preventative dentistry keeps your jaw, soft tissues, and entire mouth healthy. Make a sound investment in your oral and overall wellness by choosing preventative dentistry with Dr. John Rink. Contact us at our Charleston, SC practice today, and set up your appointment with our friendly staff.
Preventative care involves daily brushing and flossing at home, as well as routine checkups.
Your regular cleanings and exams are important foundations of preventative dentistry. These visits are typically scheduled twice a year, although patients with certain conditions, like a predisposition to gum disease, may need to come in more frequently.
Your professional cleaning is designed to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. When it is not removed, plaque can calcify into tartar, which can cause bad breath and receding gums. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional using specialized equipment.
During a routine dental visit, our team will do more than clean your teeth. Your dentist will carefully check your gums for signs of periodontal disease. Any existing restorations will be examined to ensure that they are strong and functioning properly. Your jaw, palate, soft tissues, and tongue will be reviewed for conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and oral cancer. In this way, regular dental visits keep your mouth clean and healthy, and allow for early intervention and treatment of several common concerns.
Most of us are aware that brushing twice a day and flossing daily are mainstays of good at-home hygiene. There are also some finer points to keep in mind, including:
This mineral is known to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities. Toothpaste fortified with fluoride is a simple and effective way to improve the health of your teeth, and ward off decay.
Like many of our patients, you might not realize your toothbrush has frayed or jagged bristles. These damaged bristles can irritate and even harm your gums. To keep your gums in good condition, patients should replace their toothbrushes every three months, and choose brushes with softer bristles.
Certain minerals, like phosphate and calcium, help keep your teeth strong. Eating foods and drinking beverages with high levels of sugar can fuel the production of oral bacteria and acids which can destroy tooth enamel. For these reasons, it is important to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet that restricts sugar intake.
In addition to regular dental exams, fluoride treatments and sealants can help prevent decay and the formation of cavities. Fluoride is topically applied to the teeth, and can easily be added onto your regular exam. Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of your molars, where they deter bacteria and acid from penetrating the teeth. Sealants are especially beneficial for children and patients who are prone to cavities.
Dr. Rink and his staff can help you achieve and maintain great oral health with preventative dentistry treatments. Contact our office today to schedule your next visit.
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