Performing routine oral exams and cleanings, general dentists identify potential problems in their early stages. Detecting cavities and gum disease before they escalate helps you avoid costly procedures.
General dentists also provide valuable education and guidance on proper dental hygiene practices. It includes brushing and flossing techniques, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and avoiding teeth-clenching and grinding habits.
Brushing and Flossing
A good dental hygiene routine is essential. Practicing this routine can help prevent serious dental issues resulting in pain, lost work time, and expensive medical bills.
General dentistry Albuquerque, NM plays a crucial role as primary care oral health professionals who diagnose, treat, and manage short- and long-term oral health needs such as checkups, tooth care, gum disease, root canals, fillings, veneers, crowns, bridges, and preventative education. Many general dentists also provide cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening.
Maintaining your smile requires twice-day brushing and daily flossing. Nevertheless, completely ridding your teeth of the germs and acid that cause tooth decay and other oral disorders is not always possible.
During a professional clean, your general dentist or dental hygienist can remove any buildup that has developed and show you better brushing techniques and a healthier diet to help you keep your smile. They may also administer fluoride treatments that help strengthen your teeth and fight tooth decay.
Mouthwash
General dentistry is geared toward disease prevention, which is a large part of why it’s so important. Having regular dental care from a general dentist can help prevent oral health issues like gingivitis, which can cause gum inflammation and, if left untreated, result in tooth loss.
While brushing and flossing are the most critical components of a dental hygiene routine, mouthwash is also an essential supplement for some people. This liquid solution can reach places that toothbrushes, and floss may miss, and it can provide therapeutic benefits like reducing bad breath or whitening teeth.
There are many types of mouthwash, but there are two broad categories: cosmetic and therapeutic. The type of mouthwash you should use will depend on your specific needs. You can talk to your Mountain Aire Dentistry team about which one would be the best fit for you. A therapeutic mouthwash can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth, prevent gum diseases, reduce plaque, and even cure gingivitis.
Diet
The adage “You are what you eat” is well known and especially applies to dental health. While a diet robust in calcium, vitamin C, and other nutrients promotes strong teeth, a diet high in sugary or starchy foods raises the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
A dentist’s job isn’t just to treat cavities but also to educate patients on the impact of their food choices on their oral health and overall wellness. That’s why nutritional counseling is an integral part of general dentistry.
Limiting how often you snack and only eating healthy snacks, like fruit, yogurt, or cheese, is essential. Eating three well-balanced meals daily is also good for your teeth and body. Drinking water (or sparkling water with no added sugar or acid) is best, and adding a slice of cucumber or mint to your water can add some flavor.
Dental Checkups
While many people think of dental checkups as a means to detect oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, and more, they also have several other purposes. One of the most important is to look for abnormalities in the mouth, throat, and neck that can be signs of serious illnesses such as cancer or swollen lymph nodes. Even though these signs aren’t always obvious, seeing a dentist regularly can help ensure any problems are immediately found and fixed. Visit https://marylebonesmileclinic.co.uk/veneers-for-peg-laterals/ for more information.
Regular dental checkups also include professional teeth cleaning, where bacterial plaque and tartar that can’t be removed at home are removed from the teeth and gums. It helps to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems.
Additionally, it can help maintain a healthy smile and fresh breath by eliminating stains and ensuring wisdom teeth are growing correctly before they cause any problems.