routine dental checkups

Strong, healthy teeth are vital for everyday tasks such as chewing and speaking. Many people, however, do not take adequate care of their smiles. To avoid losing teeth in the future, it is important to start taking care of them now. Properly caring for your smile at home and seeing a dentist on a routine basis are two healthy dental habits that will help ensure your teeth stay bright and strong years down the road.

Caring for Your Smile at Home

Good dental hygiene starts at home. It is important to maintain a daily dental fitness routine in order to ensure a healthy smile. Dentists recommend that people brush their teeth at least twice a day. Use a soft bristle brush to avoid damaging the tooth enamel. Softer bristles are also less likely to cause gum irritation. One common mistake people make when brushing their teeth is rushing through the process. Be sure to spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of the mouth for optimum plaque removal.

Another important, yet often overlooked, step of home dental care is flossing. This should be done once a day. Every guide to dental health care shows that flossing helps keep gums strong. Scrape a piece of floss between each tooth and plaque build up at the gum line to effectively remove plaque and prevent bacteria from growing. People who floss on a regular basis often have better checkups, with fewer instances of gum disease.

The Importance of Yearly Dental Exams

In addition to home care, everyone should visit their dentist once or twice a year for a deep cleaning and checkup. During the examination, the dentist will look inside your mouth for signs of damage or decay. Besides visually inspecting each tooth, x-rays may also be taken. These images show the health of teeth nerves, as well as any cavities that have formed. When found in the early stages, these problems are usually easy to correct.

The dentist will also check the gum tissue for signs of periodontal disease. Some common symptoms of gum disease are receding gum lines and bleeding gums when brushing. Bad breath may also be present. Gingivitis, an early form of gum disease, can usually be reversed with a deep cleaning, followed by a thorough dental routine at home. More advanced stages of periodontal disease, however, may require several gum scaling treatments.

By investing time into your smile every day, you will prevent many problems in the future. Cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath can all be avoided with proper dental care. Sites, such as vitaminhealthpath.com, show that preventative care is the most important step in keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Proper care at home and regular exams by a dentist will help keep your smile looking its best.