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What is Preventative Oral Care?

Did you know that decay and gum disease are the two leading causes of tooth loss? Preventative oral care is a modern way to help keep your mouth healthy and reduce the need for dental treatments such as extractions or fillings. Your dentist can provide a detailed course of treatment to ensure your oral health is at optimal levels.

Preventive oral care can benefit everyone, making it an excellent practice for children and the elderly. This form of oral care starts with making healthy lifestyle habits a part of your everyday life. Maintaining good dental health decisions begins with you and what you are willing to change to help improve your oral health, which can impact your overall health.

Ways to Improve Your Oral Health

Your role in preventive dentistry starts with developing healthy dental habits. It includes the following tips to improve your oral health:

Visit Your Dentist

Do you remember the last time you scheduled an appointment with your dentist? Now is an excellent time to start the year with a dental exam to determine if you are at high risk of dental problems. Regularly visiting your dentist is a great way to identify dental concerns that can lead to infections and chronic illness before they worsen.

Daily Brushing and Flossing

The most crucial part of preventive oral care is maintaining your brushing and flossing twice daily. When you brush and floss your teeth, you help remove harmful oral bacteria that can lead to plaque buildup, inflammation, and gum disease. To get the most benefit, you should also consider brushing your tongue to remove any food particles that can lead to dental cavities.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride is a mineral found in most toothpaste brands and is an effective way to prevent tooth decay. It can strengthen teeth by reversing early signs of tooth decay, which helps slow down harmful bacteria growth. Most importantly, it helps remineralise teeth, a significant part of replacing lost minerals to prevent tooth diseases like gingivitis.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Your teeth require certain nutrients and minerals to stay strong and protected. A diet high in acidic and sugary foods and beverages can increase the risk of bacteria and plaque buildup. However, a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables can help you get all the nutrients you need to maintain good oral health and a beautiful smile.

Drink Water

There are various ways that water can help benefit your oral health. For instance, drinking tap water with fluoride can strengthen your teeth to prevent tooth loss and sensitivity. Most importantly, drinking the recommended amount of water helps to wash away bacteria and food particles while reducing the risk of acidic buildup on your tooth enamel.

In summary, a healthy smile requires effort and daily oral hygiene practices. Sometimes, you should schedule a visit with your dentist to ensure you get the most out of your dental benefits. Search for a network dentist near you directly from the Affinity Dental website to find out more about preventive dentistry.