Today, your dental hygienist can provide routine preventive dental care, thus helping you maintain a healthy mouth. Your oral health also contributes to your overall physical well-being. However, what is preventive dental care, and why do you need it?
Preventive Dental Care: What It Includes
Typically, preventive dental care includes actions taken by you as the patient to prevent oral diseases and maintain a healthy smile. These actions include brushing with fluoride-containing toothpaste daily, flossing, and maintaining a healthy diet—along with a regular schedule of dental cleanings by your Broomfield dental hygienist and oral exams by your local dentist.
Preventive dentistry helps to maintain good oral health, as problems or issues can be found and resolved before they become painful or cause considerable damage.
This combination of regular dental checkups and good oral habits at home can help extend the life of your teeth and lower your risk of developing gum disease, tooth decay, and other serious dental issues. Putting these habits into play can also help to build good oral hygiene habits.
Why You Need Preventive Dental Care
Your Broomfield dental hygienist will handle most of your dental cleanings, allowing you to get a regular deep cleaning every six months, as the ADA (American Dental Association) recommends. Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to examine your mouth, jaw, and neck to identify any related problems, including identifying potential cancer risks.
Your dentist can also recommend that you see an oral specialist if there is a potential risk of any type of oral cancer. Generally speaking, you should visit your dentist at least once a year and your Broomfield dental hygienist twice yearly for your cleanings.
Your dental checkup means your dentist examines your teeth, gums, and mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, infection, oral cancer, or other dental health problems. They can also give you advice on your diet and teeth-cleaning habits.
Your dental cleaning, on the other hand, will involve your Broomfield dental hygienist removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup from your teeth surfaces. They also perform other preventative services, such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Your Broomfield dental hygienist uses toothpaste and a high-powered electric brush to remove plaque and tartar. The result is a polished effect on your teeth. They will also check for any signs of inflamed gums or other potential concerns. If they see something concerning, your Broomfield dental hygienist will recommend you see your dentist.
If your mouth is generally healthy and you know how to brush your teeth properly, you should be fine with an annual dental checkup and regular cleanings. However, dental cleanings should be more frequent if you have signs of recurrent decay. Call today to schedule a visit with your Broomfield dental hygienist.
SmileLogic, Inc. has been serving Colorado with first-class dental hygiene services for over 15 years.