When it comes to keeping your teeth in good condition, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime, however, without proper preventative care, you might find yourself seeing your dentist for more than routine maintenance.

What is preventative dentistry?

The concept of preventative dentistry is simple; it’s a practice where you care for your teeth to maintain their health. In turn, it helps prevent conditions like gum disease, cavities and degradation of the enamel. There are a lot of forms of preventative dentistry ranging from simple brushing and flossing to getting professional dental work.

In fact, the American Dental Association highly recommends that everyone visits the dentist on a regular basis. This is to ensure that you keep your dental health at optimal levels. It’s also recommended that children learn the importance of maintaining their oral health at a very early age.

How to Practice Preventative Dentistry

As we’ve mentioned before, there are many ways to practice preventative dentistry.

The most common ways include:

Brushing Daily

The most important part of practicing preventative dentistry is brush, floss and rinse using fluoride products. You should always replace your toothbrush at least three times a year before the bristles fall out. It’s also highly suggested that people brush their tongues as well. Doing so will get rid of bacteria and freshen up their breath.

Flossing on a Daily Basis

Flossing your teeth daily is also very important as it helps get rid of any leftover plaque. Furthermore, floss is able to get in between very tight spaces that the bristles on a toothbrush are unable to get to. For if you have braces, you might have to use floss threaders to keep the metal brackets clean. Ask your dentist to show you some flossing techniques to get the most out of flossing.

See Your Dentist

Everybody should see their dentist at least once a year to see if there are any underlying problems with their teeth or gums. If you have a high risk for dental issues, you’ll probably benefit more from visiting the dentist frequently. For those who aren’t at much risk, you’ll benefit the same way by having one cleaning done every year. Routine cleaning and exams will allow you to discover issues and treat them immediately.

Looking for new ways to practice preventative dentistry? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Call Mesa Dental at 480-396-9900 to schedule an appointment or to learn more information today!