Many people put off seeing a dentist until a dental emergency arises like a cracked tooth or a cavity. What they may not realize is that skipping regular checkups can actually cost more money in the long run due to expensive procedures that may prove necessary like root canals or even tooth extractions and dentures. The best way to avoid these costly and sometimes painful procedures is to use preventive care starting now to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Preventive dental and oral care can also improve heart health and help your dentist look for early signs of diseases such as diabetes.
What Is Preventative Care?
Preventive care includes both home maintenance and regular checkups with your dentist. The following are some tips for preventive care at home and in the dentist’s office.
Steps to take at home:
Oral hygiene should be encouraged and monitored from the time children are infants. With proper care at home successful prevention of cavities and tooth decay will help avoid costly and painful in office procedures.
- Brush your child’s teeth and your own at least twice day and after meals if possible. Flossing on a regular basis will keep teeth from decaying in the spaces in between.
- Choosing healthy foods for meals and snacks that are low in sugar will also prevent tooth decay as well as being good for overall health.
- Stay away from all tobacco products including cigarettes and chewing tobacco. These products cause mouth ulcers, gum disease, and can lead to various types of cancers.
Get Regular Checkups
One of the most important parts of the preventative care equation is regular checkups. Dental insurance companies encourage preventative care by paying for yearly checkups. Regular checkups save you and your insurance company money by checking for early signs of problems such as tooth decay. Your checkups will include professional cleanings removing plaque buildup. Once plaque has hardened into tartar it cannot be brushed off and must be scraped on the dentist’s office. This tartar buildup if not taken care of will cause the gum disease gingivitis. Office visits also usually include x-rays to identify other potential problems.
Regular visits to the dentist can also help prevent or identify diseases other than just those of the oral nature. Diabetes, heart disease, and vitamin deficiencies can also be identified while getting examined by your dentist. Taking good care of your teeth is combined effort by you and your dentist but only you can make sure your dental health starts at home and that your checkups are regular. Set up regular checkups with your dentist and follow the tips for great oral hygiene at home to keep your smile bright for years to come.
Call us today to schedule your dental appointment at Cedar Park Premier Dentistry!(512) 434-0560
