With or without oral problems, you need family dentistry in Simpsonville SC. Optimum dental health is achievable, but it takes work. You can’t just sit there and hope you’ll have a healthy smile without doing anything about it. Your oral health is your responsibility.

However, you can ask for necessary help from your family dentist. Family dentists are specially trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages. One of the reasons why people experience tooth and gum problems is because they don’t practice preventive dental care. Examples of preventive dental care include establishing an oral care routine at home and regularly visiting your family dentist. These two are the core foundations of a healthy mouth.

How to Avoid Oral Health Problems

Tooth Decay

Your teeth are protected by a hard outer coating known as the enamel. Although it’s hard and robust, it’s not invincible. Every time you eat, plaque will coat your teeth. Plaque is a biofilm that contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria present in plaque produce acids that are powerful enough to erode your enamel and create pits and holes known as cavities.

To stop plaque from destroying your teeth, you must get rid of it, and you can do that by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. If and when you do develop cavities, a family dentist can help fix the problem, usually with a dental filling.

Using fluoride-based toothpaste also helps protect your teeth from further decay. For patients who are at a high risk of cavities, your family dentist may recommend fluoride treatments.

Gum Disease

The second-most notorious oral health problem millions of Americans face every day is gum disease. Just like tooth decay, gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque that has formed along your gum line. When plaque isn’t removed, it will harden and turn into tartar.

Unfortunately, when it develops into tartar, it will be impossible to remove it through brushing and flossing alone. When caught early, gum disease (gingivitis) can still be reversed through professional teeth cleaning and daily brushing and flossing.

When gingivitis isn’t caught and treated, it can escalate into a more serious gum infection called periodontitis. Treatment is crucial. Without treatment, it will result in bleeding, painful gums, chewing problems, and inevitably will lead to tooth loss.

Gum disease can be prevented by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes after meals. Wait until thirty minutes have passed since your last meal before you start brushing your teeth for the best results. If you brush too soon, the acids from your last meal will rub against your teeth and cause erosion, potentially leading to cavities.

After brushing, don’t forget to floss in-between teeth to remove food particles and plaque. Family dentistry offers treatments that will reverse gum disease and restore the strength, firmness, and health of your gums.

Other Ways to Prevent Oral Health Problems

Besides the usual brushing and flossing, regular dental visits are also necessary. Routine checkups and cleanings will allow your family dentist to check your teeth for signs of decay and gum disease. Catching and treating oral issues early will help prevent complications and long-term problems. Aside from these, eating a well-balanced diet will also strengthen your teeth and gums.

If you are a smoker and your gums are healthy, consider yourself lucky, but it is beneficial to quit the habit of smoking. Otherwise, you are only going to put yourself at risk for gum disease.

Last but not least, make sure the cleaning techniques you are using are correct. You’d be surprised to know that the reason why you’re getting tooth decay and cavities might be that you are cleaning your teeth incorrectly. There is a right way to brush and floss your teeth, and only until you get it right will you be able to effectively remove plaque from your teeth.

Brushing and Flossing Tips

• Be gentle when you brush
• Replace your toothbrush every three months
• Use gentle, circular, and back and forth strokes when you brush your teeth
• Don’t brush too hard, especially when you brush along the gumline
• Brush your tongue as well, or if you can, use a tongue scraper
• Floss in between your teeth to remove leftover food
• Rinse after flossing

Are You Interested in Learning About Family Dentistry in Simpsonville SC?

It’s going to take a life-long commitment to be able to achieve optimal dental health. But don’t worry, because your family dentist will guide you along the way. At Pelham Links Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide exceptional dental services to all our patients using state-of-the-art techniques and modern technology.

Our friendly and motivated team will work closely with you to achieve your goals. If you want to know more about our services, we encourage you to give us a call.