Even though they are treated by different medical professionals, it is important that the mouth and body provide support to each other. Research has proven that oral health is directly correlated to overall health so it would stand to reason that maintaining a healthy mouth is most certainly a gateway to a healthy body. While many may only see a medical doctor when they feel sick, we should not think of our dentist as only needing them when we have an oral problem. Preventive care is important, and may actually provide savings in many ways if visits to the dentist are completed twice a year.
Importance of Preventive Care
Preventive care is more than just having teeth cleaned and examined by your family dentist. There are many things that can be done every day to help maintain great oral health.
Brushing – The right tools (a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste) used twice every day (for two minutes both times) provide a great start.
Flossing – Brushing only reaches about two thirds of the surfaces of our teeth. Floss should be used daily to remove what your toothbrush misses in between teeth. Used correctly, flossing stimulates gum tissue to enhance oral health.
Diet – A healthy diet is made up primarily of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, proteins, and healthy grains. Snacks like chips, crackers, candy, cookies, ice cream, etc. should be saved for special occasions and not consumed on a daily basis.
Beverages – Soda (both regular and diet) can wreak havoc on dental enamel. Sugary drinks like juices and many popular so called healthy beverages should be consumed sparingly; make them a little better for you by watering them down. Or better yet, just drink water … the healthiest beverage available!
Lifestyle – Lack of exercise certainly isn’t good for a healthy body, but tobacco use is detrimental to both oral and overall health. Smoking (even e-cigs) is damaging in so many ways!
The Dental Visit
When you see your dentist twice a year, teeth are cleaned to remove plaque that has formed since your previous visit. Topical stain is removed and teeth are polished to look their best. A dental exam will reveal the need for further care; and most importantly this exam could save your life by identifying any potential serious conditions like oral cancer.
If it’s time to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning, contact our team at Tate Family Dentistry today.