Preventive Dentistry for Improved Oral Health

Preventive dentistry is one of the most holistic, and comprehensive ways that we can work to prevent oral health problems. Most people realize the importance of preventative measures.  For example, if you think it is going to storm, you will bring in all of your outdoor furniture, and make sure that all of the windows are tightly closed throughout your house. Similarly, preventive dentistry is designed to protect your teeth before a problem arises. The easiest way to understand the importance preventive dentistry is to understand it through the lens of a routine. There are several different ways you can use preventive dentistry, and it is important that you make a habit of discussing your oral health, and your dental goals, with us on a frequent basis. Preventive dentistry works best when it is taken as a regular routine.

For example, we will always recommend that you visit our dentist office a minimum of twice a year for a regularly scheduled maintenance, examination, and cleaning. That's because once every six months the plaque and tartar build-up in your teeth will have gotten to the point that it needs to be professionally removed. While your toothbrush may be doing an excellent job, preventive dentistry recognizes that we, not you and your toothbrush alone, are able to get into those hard-to-reach spots where your toothbrush cannot properly remove the plaque and tartar. By coming in once every six months you create the opportunity, for us, to perform preventive dental care in that we are able to clean out these pockets of bacteria, preventing cavities, gum diseases, and oral health problems.

Another great way to look at preventive dentistry is to look at it from the lens of your own regular oral health routine. Most people understand the three big two's that they need to follow in order to maintain good oral health. This is actually a form of preventive dentistry. If you're not familiar with the three big two's, they are as follows –

First, you need to visit our dentist office a minimum of two times each year. We have already covered why this is important. Second, you need to brush your teeth a minimum of two times each day. This allows for you to clean your teeth after you finished all the meals of the day, and again in the morning when the plaque and bacteria have had an opportunity to go to work building up that nasty film on your teeth.  This allows you to remove all the work that the bacteria have done in your mouth overnight.  The third, and final, of the big two's, is critically important. It is the length of time that you need to brush your teeth for an effective cleaning. According to the American Dental Association, you should be brushing your teeth for a minimum of two minutes each time. This allows you to reach all the areas possible and gives your toothbrush sufficient time to properly clean them.  Finally, you must remember to floss your teeth on a daily basis to remove plaque from in between them.

Working together, we can help you to remain in excellent oral health.