Preventive Dentistry at Home
You have a very important role to play in protecting your teeth. Brushing, flossing, and a tooth-healthy diet all help you maintain good dental health between regular checkups and cleanings.
The bacteria that live in your mouth are responsible for most dental health problems. It’s important to remove them from your teeth regularly. You do this by brushing and flossing. Make sure you brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. You can brush more, but it’s not necessary to use toothpaste then, and it’s important to make sure you’re not overbrushing. You can choose the way you floss. Some evidence suggests that a water flosser or interdental cleaning brushes work better, but it’s most important to find the tool that works for you.
Just as important is adopting a tooth-healthy diet. Try to manage your sugar intake–following the heart-healthy recommendation of no more than 6-9 teaspoons of sugar a day is a good start. Also reduce your consumption of highly acidic foods and beverages to protect your teeth from erosion.
Regular Dental Cleanings and Exams
But you can’t protect your teeth alone. Torrance, CA dentist Dr. Webber and his team can help you accomplish the difficult task of keeping your teeth for life with your regular dental cleanings and exams.
A dental cleaning is important because it lets your hygienist remove tartar. Tartar is a rocklike deposit on your teeth that forms over time–it’s hard for you to remove this safely. It’s not just unattractive, it also provides shelter for bacteria. Over time, tartar contributes to poor oral health, including gum disease. Removing tartar keeps your smile attractive and healthy.
An exam lets Dr. Webber assess your current oral health. He can identify potential problems before they become serious and recommend changes in your home hygiene routine or diet that can help you avoid serious problems and restorative dentistry in the future.
Protect Your Teeth from Trauma
Tooth trauma can damage or even knock out your teeth. The consequences of trauma are not just the immediate pain and damage–they can cause problems with your teeth and gums for life.
Some causes of tooth trauma are a surprise, but when you participate in sports, you are putting yourself at risk of tooth trauma. It’s important to protect your teeth with a mouthguard. While there are many types of mouthguards available, a professional custom mouthguard provides the best protection. A mouthguard isn’t just for contact sports–use one any time you are competing or driving yourself to perform your best.
Are You Looking for Preventive Dentistry in Torrance, CA?
If you want to protect your teeth, gums, and overall health in Torrance, CA, you need the help of a dentist. Dr. Webber at Simply Smiles is prepared to help you enjoy a healthy, attractive smile for the rest of your life. Please call (310) 534-3477 today to learn how you can achieve this goal together.
