Maintaining Good Dental Health

Over the long run, your best defense against excessive dental costs is to maintain good dental health as part of your overall health. The following are recommendations for maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay:

• Brush twice daily (for at least 2 to 3 minutes) for plaque removal
• Use fluoride toothpaste to lessen bacteria and make teeth stronger
• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months since bristles become worn and are not as effective for cleaning
• Floss daily to clean between teeth and under the gumline
• Support oral health with mouthwash (many include fluoride to prevent decay or ingredients that control gingivitis and reduce tartar)
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Have regular dental check ups (twice a year)

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Regular Dental Visits

While taking necessary steps at home for good oral health is important, you should not neglect seeing a dentist regularly. They can identify potential risk areas in your mouth, take x-rays, and provide information about better brushing techniques.

If you do not have dental insurance, you may have skipped visiting the dentist because of the expense. With a discount dental plan however, going to the dentist can be very affordable. Regular dental visits, in addition to dental hygiene, can prevent more serious oral issues. By allowing dental problems to progress (persistent bad breath or bleeding gums, for example), you face a potentially expensive and painful experience further down the road.

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Cavities

Cavities are caused by bacteria that consume food particles on your teeth and produce acid that breaks down tooth enamel. If a cavity is untreated, the acid can do further damage to the tooth and nerve.

With proper attention to your teeth, including brushing and flossing to remove bacteria, you can significantly reduce your chances of getting cavities. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet reduces sticky foods that cling to your teeth, which in turn reduces available bacteria to create acid.

Fluoride

Fluoride is an important part of good oral health, as it strengthens tooth enamel and helps resist the acid that produces cavities. In areas where fluoridated water is not available, you may consider providing your children with fluoride supplements. Flouride treatments may also be a standard check-up procedure through your dentist; visit him regularly to learn about additional steps you can take to ensure optimum dental health.

Healthy Gums

Taking care of your gums is critical to preventing gum disease and ensuring that you don’t lose any teeth. Harmful bacteria in plaque cause gum disease, destroying the tissue that surrounds and protects the teeth. Left untreated, you can develop inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) or gum disease – your gums can become infected, which may eventually lead to tooth loss. The good news? With proper oral hygiene, flossing, and regular dentist visits, gum disease can be prevented.

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