Preventive Dental Care | Are You Late for a Very Important Date with Your Dentist?

Preventive Dental Care

Are you having a hard time remembering the last time you visited your preventive dentist? Are you are already overdue for your next dental appointment? Regular checkups and cleanings are one of the best ways to protect the smile from dental cavities, gum disease and other common dental problems. Lack of preventive dental care can wreak havoc on your one and only smile. If you care about keeping it healthy, and looking its best, you need to be seeing the dentist at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings!

It Might Be Time for a Dental Checkup

In spite of their best intentions, many people miss out on key preventive care which leads to a host of dental problems. While it is important to brush and floss your teeth daily, it is equally imperative to visit the preventive dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. When you skip out on these routine appointments, you are far more likely to suffer from common dental threats, like cavities and even gum disease. So this year, vow to take better care of your smile. Pay especially close attention to any signs that your next dental visit might already be overdue.

What Makes These Preventive Care Appointments So Essential?

The teeth are incredibly strong. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, they do not have the same regenerative abilities that some parts of the body do. Given time, for instance, the skin can often heal itself. Some internal organs can also repair themselves after minor damage. The same cannot be said of the teeth. Once enamel has been eroded away, often due to poor hygiene or a diet high in sugar, the only way to protect the teeth is through restorative treatment.

In the case of dental cavities, fillings are often a fast and effective solution. Modern fillings can even be made to look natural and feel comfortable. Unfortunately, if a cavity isn’t detected early enough, an infection could form that could require more extensive treatment, such as root canal therapy.

If you want to avoid the need for extensive measures, schedule routine dental exams and cleanings. These preventive dental care visits are cost effective ways to care for one’s smile, and in most cases, to effectively prevent cavities before they’ve formed, as well as more progressive issues, like gum disease.

Your diet plays an important role in preventive dental care

A healthy diet can also be incredibly beneficial in helping to protect your smile. This means limiting how much sugar you consume on a daily basis, filling up on healthy and nutrient-rich foods, and also drinking water throughout the day, both to help gently rinse the mouth clean between brushings and also to supply your entire body with the water it needs to stay properly hydrated.

Many people don’t realize that water also helps the body produce saliva, which is a natural defense against tartar buildup. So, rather than reaching for a soda or a second cup of coffee in the afternoons, grab a glass of refreshing water, instead. It’s a better choice for both your smile and your waistline.

Stay hydrated for good dental health

Staying hydrated will keep the saliva flow going. Many people don’t realize the beneficial value of having plenty of saliva.  Saliva is our single best defense against cavities.

Preventive Dental Care Can Help You Avoid Cavities

While good dental hygiene and a healthy diet are important ways to protect your healthy teeth, there is still one other important way to prevent cavities and other dental problems. That is by seeing your dentist regularly for preventive care.

Routine dental visits with oral exams help your dentist check for burgeoning issues, before they can cause great damage to your teeth and gums. These appointments also help to keep your smile looking its best, free of unsightly tartar buildup. Most dentists agree that patients over the age of one should visit at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. That said, if you are particularly prone to cavities, either due to hereditary factors, poor hygiene or even as a result of medications you are taking, more frequent visits might be necessary to best protect your teeth.

Brushing and flossing daily are the mainstays of good oral health. Be sure to properly brush with a fluoride toothpaste.

 

Do I need a Dental Checkup?

Do you sometimes find yourself wondering how necessary dental checkups and cleanings really are? If you have been fortunate enough to enjoy great oral health up until now, you might think that you are simply blessed with great teeth and gums, and that preventive care may not be all that important to you. Unfortunately, this can be incredibly short-sighted thinking, which can lead to dental problems later in time. If you want to maintain healthy teeth and gums as you age, here are some key reminders that it is time for a dental checkup.

Are you overdue for a preventive care visit?

Preventive dental treatment is key to keeping your smile health and overall health care. Call Lake Forest Dental Arts in Lake Forest, IL, today at 847-234-0517 to schedule your next checkup and cleaning. We also proudly serve residents of Chicago and all surrounding communities.