Good dental health is a major component of any child or adult keeping their health in check. Tooth maintenance and preventing dental issues such as cavities or tooth decay is just as important as getting enough nutrients, exercising enough, getting enough sleep, and sanitation such as washing hands or showering or bathing. If a person suffers bad teeth problems such as cavities, tooth decay, or loss of enamel, expensive dentist procedures such as root canals, tooth extraction, and more may be necessary, and root canals and getting teeth pulled out is not something a person would want. How can good dental care save money in the long run? What can a family dentist do for you? Why are sealants and dentures useful for different patients?
Dentistry as a Whole
There is more to dentistry than root canals or X-rays. Among all American professions, dentistry ranks in the top 10 most trusted and ethical professions, and the services of dentists are varied. Often, regular self-care is key to preventing the need for major dental surgery or procedures; the American Dental Association recommends that everyone brushes their teeth at least twice per day, and flossing and limiting the consumption of sugary foods is also recommended. However, despite this, some Americans suffer tooth problems all the same. It is believed that 20% of Americans has at least one untreated cavity, and among adults, only 45% or so have well-aligned front teeth. Dental implants are increasingly common, with about 3 million people having them and the number growing by about 500,000 per year. What can Americans do to prevent the need for root canals or other dental procedures at the dentist’s office?
Better Dental Care
According to Dentistry, a person can learn his or her cavity risk level by taking a comprehensive dental exam, and through this exam and regular dentist visits, a person can know exactly the status of their dental health and potential risks, as well as knowing what dental hygiene changes should be made or which treatments may be needed soon. If the person knows that his or her cavity risk is low, that person can save time or money by going to the dentist less often, but if a person does not know their cavity risk, they may have to play it safe and go to the dentist often anyway.
Bacteria in the mouth will consume the sugars of leftover food or drink, and their excretions are a biofilm commonly known as plaque, which can lead to all sorts of dental health complications, so regular tooth brushing is vital to prevent this. All surfaces of the tooth should be brushed gently but vigorously, as well as the gums and even the tongue to completely clear out all bacteria and leftover food particles in the mouth. Brushing after meals and especially before bed is important; if bacteria are left in the mouth overnight, they may go a long way to forming plaque in the mouth and wearing out the enamel, which can easily lead to cavities. Replacing a toothbrush every three or four months is another good idea.
Even drinking habits can affect tooth health. Coffee and tea often contain added sugars such as cream or syrup that put a lot of sugar onto the teeth and even into saliva, and sugary saliva will last for hours, giving tooth-destroying bacteria a solid food source. For this reason, a person drinking coffee or tea is urged to drink water while having coffee or tea, and wash the mouth out with water afterwards as an extra measure. The same may be said for soda and other sugary drinks. If the water has sufficient levels of fluoride in it, that can also help boost dental health. Finally, smokers can consider kicking the habit, since tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, will contribute aggressively to rates of tooth decay, gum loss, and even oral cancer.
