If you want a healthy smile, there are certain things that you need to do on a regular basis. Those include brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, rinsing with mouthwash and not eating sugary snacks. You also need to visit your local Northbrook dentist at least every 6 months for a teeth cleaning and exam. A top-quality dental care professional will use a gentle dental technique that leaves you feeling relaxed and comfortable while they do their work. They will remove any plaque buildup that may have formed and polish your teeth to make it hard for new plaque to form. They will also spot any potential problems such as bruxism (teeth grinding) or gum disease and take X-rays of your mouth to detect any issues that are not visible to the naked eye.
Most dentists agree that almost all tooth decay and gum disease can be prevented with good oral hygiene, routine visits to the dentist and regular X-rays. However, sometimes even with the best of dental health practices, some minor issues can develop that need to be treated immediately. If they are not identified and addressed, these issues can lead to more serious problems that require extensive treatment. Fortunately, catching these issues in their early stages is usually very easy for dental professionals.
In fact, some of the simplest and most effective preventive practices that you can do are to brush your teeth twice per day and to floss regularly. These daily habits remove food and bacteria that can cause problems such as gum disease, gum recession and tooth enamel wear.
But these daily habits are not enough. They should be combined with a schedule of visits to the dentist that your dental care provider will recommend for you. These appointments are designed to help you develop a more thorough and consistent oral hygiene regimen, to check for any potential issues that may not be obvious, to remove any tartar buildup and to provide education on how to better manage your dental health.
The frequency of your dental visits will depend on your risk for developing dental problems, your age and your current oral health. Generally, patients with high risk factors will benefit from more frequent appointments while those with low risks can get away with visiting the dentist once or twice per year.
During a dental appointment, your dentist and dental hygienist will use specialized tools to remove any stubborn deposits of plaque and tartar that may have built up. Then they will floss and polish your teeth, removing surface stains and leaving your teeth looking beautiful and feeling smooth and clean. They will also X-ray your mouth to spot potential issues, such as cavities between your teeth, gum disease or impacted wisdom teeth that need to be removed.
In addition to regular dental exams and cleanings, you should brush and floss regularly, avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar, and not smoke or chew tobacco. It is also important to visit your doctor on a regular basis to check for other medical conditions that can affect your oral health. These conditions include HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis and Sjogren’s syndrome (an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth).