The best way to treat potential dental issues is to prevent them before they become major problems. At Lakeshore Dental Care, we pride ourselves on the smiles of our patients. We offer a wide variety of dental services to help our patients achieve their ideal smile. Our goal is to educate our patients to understand the benefits of preventative dental care. These easy steps can get you on the path to a healthy and attractive smile.
Brush Daily
Brushing twice daily is one of the keys to effective preventative oral care. If you brush only once daily, then you’re 33% more likely to develop tooth decay. The American Dental Association found that 23% of adults had gone two or more days in the last year without brushing their teeth. Brushing every day is one of the easiest steps everyone should take to maintain proper oral health.
Brushing your teeth removes the plaque that builds up during the day. Left alone, this plaque will harden and turn into tartar which wreaks havoc on your teeth and gums. We understand that it can be easy to forget to brush. But it’s vital to develop effective oral care habits to prevent serious dental complications like tooth decay and gum disease.
Floss Daily
In addition to brushing, it’s also important to floss at least once a day. According to the American Dental Association, only 40% of Americans floss at least once daily and 1 out of 5 Americans don’t floss at all. Brushing simply can’t reach all the areas in your mouth. Plaque can hide between your teeth and under the gumline. That’s why flossing these areas helps to bridge the gap that your toothbrush can’t quite reach.
Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash is another great tool you can use in conjunction with daily brushing and flossing. Like flossing, mouthwash helps reach areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. It also helps to treat gingivitis and the buildup of plaque. Mouthwashes that contain fluoride also help to strengthen teeth and prevent decay.
Regularly Replace Toothbrush
Over time, your toothbrush will wear out and become less effective. It’s important to replace it every three or four months. A great way to remember to swap out your toothbrush is to get a new toothbrush every time there’s a change in one of the four seasons. Doing so will ensure you’re replacing it at least 4 times a year.
Avoid Acidic Beverages
While many acidic beverages such as juice, soda, and coffee can be delicious, they can also damage your teeth. Even diet soft drinks that don’t contain sugar still have harmful acids that attack your teeth. When you do consume an acidic beverage, it‘s recommended to do so with a meal. The saliva produced while eating helps to wash away the acids from your teeth.
Regular Bi-Annual Visits
According to the CDC, almost 32% of men aged 20-44 and over 18% of children and young adults aged 5-19 in the U.S. have untreated dental cavities. Additionally, over 60% of American adults had not seen a dentist in the past year.
Even with outstanding personal oral care, it’s important to visit Dr. Mitchell for your regular biannual cleanings. Doing so will not only help remove plaque buildup that you can’t reach with normal brushing and flossing, it will also help to catch potential dental complications. Finding and fixing dental problems before they become severe is vital to preventative dental care.
Following these guidelines for preventative dental care will not only help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, it can also save you time and your hard-earned money.
Schedule Your Next Cleaning Today!
Whether you need a simple cleaning or a more in-depth service such as dental implants, our Hamburg dentists are delighted to work with you to find your perfect smile. Call us at 716.627.7200 or fill out the form on our contact page. Schedule your next visit today.