** The following is adapted from a story which was originally published in Downingtown Neighbors Magazine.
In today’s world of dentistry, there are countless advancements in dental technology and materials: digital imaging, use of dental lasers and 3D milling of crowns, as well as many others. Even with all of this, prevention is still the best thing you can do to live a healthier and happier life. Since there is no “one size fits all” solution, it’s important to have a relationship with a current dentist who takes the time to understand your unique needs and has the technology to make the process as painless and easy as possible.
Preventative Dentistry Tips
At Angstadt Family Dental, we regularly inform our patients about these helpful tips, and now we’re passing them onto the rest of the community so you can save time and money, all with a healthy and beautiful smile. Here are some of the most important:
- Home Care: Flossing, brushing and using an antibacterial and fluoride-containing mouth rinse are a great start. An electric toothbrush and/or water flosser work wonders, too!
- Regular Checkups: Plan on getting a checkups 2-4 times a year, so your dentist can help get anything you may have missed. They are vital to find small issues before they are big (potentially costly) problems. Remember, the earlier it's taken care of, the easier it is to fix!
- Non-Invasive Sealants: Sealants prevent cavities where 80% of cavities start! They're used for adults and children alike, but crucial for children as they grow.
- Fluoride: Remember this one? Topical fluoride treatment, especially for kids and young people, helps strengthen teeth and helps prevent dental decay in the long-term.
- Diet: Snacks in between meals should be limited, and keep sugary/acidic drinks like juices, teas, sodas and coffee to a minimum. Drinking a lot of water can help neutralize acids and is also beneficial to general health.
- Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing gum can help prevent decay by helping to clean your teeth between meals. Sugar-free mints can improve salivary flow and decrease dry mouth, which is a major contributor to dental decay and gum disease.
- Mouthguards and Nightguards: These are very helpful to adults and children. Teeth should always be protected when playing sports or even things like bike riding or skiing. Nightguards protect teeth from grinding and clenching and can reduce jaw joint or TMJ pain.
- Find the Right Dentist For You: Choose a dentist with new and improved technology that is current and can help detect tooth decay or cavities (like the diagnodent or digital x-rays) or complete restorations as minimally invasive as possible (like the Biolase Waterlase).
- Do Your Research: Find a dentist you can trust and feel comfortable with, one who wants the best for you and your family.
Preventive care is of the utmost importance for all people who wish to have a healthy and happy smile as well as preserve function. The best preventive care starts before the problems occur but even after improving current issues and correcting specific problems, prevention is key. Our doctors are consistent in telling our patients that “Prevention is KEY to dental care.” This is because without prevention, no amount of received care can be preserved. Patients must learn for themselves with our hygienists, in collaboration, what is the best preventive plan for them. No two people are the same and no plan should be either! Come in today to develop a preventive care plan with our hygienists and/or doctors that is right for you!
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