Preventative Care in Loudon, Tennessee
What is Preventative Care?
Preventive care, sometimes referred to as preventative dental care, is everything you can do within your control to take great care of your teeth so that they will last a very long time. It is best to do all you can to take care of what you have and make it last. That is why regular brushing, flossing and maintaining a healthy diet is imperative to avoiding dental decay and gum disease
When you brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis you are removing plaque from the outside and in between your teeth. With this regimen, your teeth stay clean and healthy looking. The best diet for maintaining optimum dental health is to pursue food low in sugar and bad carbohydrates. Hence, why our parents always said sugar will give us cavities.
Daily brushing and regular cleanings are imperative. Teaching this to your children at an early age is also very important and a habit that should last a lifetime. As your Loudon, TN preventative care dentist, we encourage daily preventative care and share that knowledge with our patients on a regular basis. Our staff provides the best preventative care services, and we will give you a thorough exam and cleaning when you come in for your appointment.
Why Do I Need Preventative Care?
The ADA recommends that you see the dentist every six months depending on your dental health. If you are in great dental health then two routine cleanings and exam visits a year will keep you there. If you have had dental problems in the past, then more visits may be necessary and are something you should make a priority.
The following steps are recommended for optimal dental health:
- Floss daily
- Brushing your teeth twice or more a day with an ADA approved toothpaste that includes fluoride. Brushing after meals is even better.
- Replace your toothbrush often
- Eat a diet low in processed sugar and carbohydrates to prevent decay and cavities
- Obtain routine exams and dental cleanings at least twice a year.
You can get great advice from your Loudon, TN prevention dentists, Dr. Michael and Jason Bowman, regarding the best flossing and toothpaste products that will help you maintain your optimal oral health. You can also discuss with your provider how many times a year you should receive routine cleanings based on your dental history. If you are afraid of visiting the dentist, sedation dentistry is always an option. Get input about any pre-development stages for gum disease or impending dental problems. Ask what changes you can make to improve your overall health and prevent any future issues.
Flossing, Brushing and Fluoride
People develop cavities, gingivitis, gum disease and enamel loss due to bad oral health and lack of preventive care habits. One of the easiest ways to stay ahead of these impending oral detriments is to keep a steady routine of brushing and flossing at the core of your daily care.
The mouth is full of bacteria and keeping it healthy provides other benefits that go beyond the teeth. You also should consider the thousands of dollars you will save by not having to pay for restorative dental care later in life. Preventive care can help you to keep on budget and also keep your health costs down.
Ongoing hygiene is instrumental and goes hand in hand with home oral health most of all. As soon as you develop your first tooth as a child you should be seeing a dentist and establishing a daily regimen of brushing. Statistics show that children who are taught strong oral health habits from an early age will practice them into adulthood.
Brushing and flossing at the very least two times a day will remove plaque that prevents tartar from forming. Tartar is a sticky material that is full of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum issues that can lead to a root canal or dental implants.
It is a commonly known fact that fluoride use is imperative to strong teeth. Fluoride is known to strengthen teeth and stop decay. Most dentists tell their patients to not just use a fluoride toothpaste but a mouthwash as well. Most public water nowadays has fluoride that is a great advantage to healthy teeth.
What Foods are Bad?
Sugary and carb-heavy foods are known to cause cavities. This is a result of sugar creating the perfect feeding frenzy for bacteria to grow and make plaque. It’s also important to maintain calcium levels for strong teeth and jaw bones. So, avoiding sugar and increasing your calcium intake will improve your teeth.
What Else Can I Be Doing?
Another method of preventing dental issues is to get regular x-rays. Keeping up-to-date X-rays allows your dentist to track any changes they may not be able to see in a routine exam, such as cavities or disease in the gums.
Protect from Injury
Many people play sports and should protect their teeth from injury. A dentist can construct a mouth guard to fit perfectly to your mouth to prevent broken teeth. Mouth guards are also utilized against teeth grinding which can wear out your teeth and even cause chipping or breakage along with TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) in your jaw.
Aligning Your Teeth
People think of orthodontics as a cosmetic dental solution. However, in many cases, it’s also a preventive method of bite care. If teeth are crooked, they are harder to keep clean. An off bite can hurt the ability to eat and speak well. Correcting any orthodontic issues improves oral health as well.
Contact Dr. Michael E. Bowman, DDS today for your routine cleaning today.