Hello, I'm Dr. Perez. I am here at Diamond Dental Arts today. We are going to be addressing some questions we get from a lot of patients about general dentistry and preventive care.
Why and how often should we get a dental checkup?
Well, dental checkups are very important because there might be issues developing in your teeth that you are unaware of. If we catch these issues early, we can prevent them from becoming more serious problems. It is important to know that in terms of routine dental checkups, there is not a single schedule that suits all patients. Depending on your individual circumstances, maybe your dentist wants to see you twice a year, every three months, or even more often, but at least once a year is recommended. Here at Diamond Dental Arts, we place each one of our patients on a customized hygiene program that is tailored to your individual needs.
What are the benefits of dental fluoride?
That's a question we get a lot. Fluoride is a successful treatment at preventing cavities and repairing tooth enamel. Fluoride treatment may have many benefits, including preventing tooth decay by remineralizing the tooth enamel and making teeth stronger and more resistant to acid. Fluoride treatments are especially beneficial for children, reducing sensitivity. Fluoride can also help ease pain and strengthen enamel in sensitive areas, reduce dental care costs by decreasing the need for expensive dental work, and prolong the life of baby teeth, as I was explaining before.
How can I protect my teeth from decay?
Good question. The first thing that I recommend is taking care of your oral health at home because it helps prevent cavities, gum disease, root canals, and maybe other uncomfortable procedures. Flossing is another important thing. Flossing removes plaque from the areas between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque remains, it often leads to tooth decay and gum disease, and you should floss at least twice per day.
Using a soft-bristle toothbrush with a head small enough to comfortably reach all your teeth is recommended. This allows you to get a thorough cleaning and avoid the abrasion that often comes with a medium or hard-bristle toothbrush. You should also change your toothbrush when the bristles become worn down or soften, which is generally after three months of use.
Another thing that I recommend is mouthwash. The mouthwash, when used daily and for the advised amount of time printed on the bottle, can greatly help reduce plaque and gingivitis. I'm also recommending drinking water. A moist mouth is crucial for all patients since mouth dryness increases plaque accumulation and your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, so drinking water is really good.
Avoiding sugary snacks and acidic beverages is also important. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in both children and adults despite being almost completely preventable. Sugars are consumed by oral bacteria, which then release acid that attacks your teeth, producing tooth decay and cavities. Understanding and putting aside poor oral health habits, aside from sugar intake, there are a few other detrimental oral habits that you should be aware of, like, for example, the use of tobacco products, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and chewing on your fingernails. These increase your chances of experiencing gum pain and chipped teeth. Changing or clenching or grinding habits can also harm your teeth, jaw joints, and muscles, particularly during your sleep.
Why do I need dental X-rays and are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays are necessary because they allow your dentist to see detailed images of your teeth, gums, and bone, which is crucial for detecting issues like cavities, gum disease, bone abnormalities, and potential problems that may not be visible during a regular exam. So yes, it is super important to take those X-rays. Here at Diamond Dental Arts, we take X-rays once or twice a year, including with the periodic exam. Then I perform the exam, and then my hygienist will come and measure your gums and bone based on those X-rays to ensure everything is healthy.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is primarily caused by the buildup of plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria on your teeth due to poor hygiene practices, like not toothbrushing or flossing regularly. This can lead to inflammation of your gums. How can we prevent it? It is easy to prevent gum disease. You can brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss between your teeth to remove the plaque from hard-to-reach areas, and visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
Thank you for watching. If you have any more questions about your dental care or need to schedule your next checkup appointment, give us a call at (941) 239-6557. We are here to keep your smile healthy at Diamond Dental Arts.