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What is Preventative Dentistry?

Are you doing everything you can to maintain a healthy smile? Preventative dentistry is the practice of caring for your gums and teeth to Dentistkeep them healthy. Preventive dentistry helps keep your smile healthy- through daily flossing and brushing, and regular dental exams and cleanings. Led by Richard Lee-Shanok, Newmarket Dentistry (located in Newmarket, ON) offers a complete range of dental services. Here's everything you need to know about preventative dentistry.

What is Preventative Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry a philosophy of oral health care that embraces all phases of dentistry. It includes not only the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease through the use of home care, proper diet, and regular dental exams, but it also includes proper restoration and replacement of teeth, orthodontic braces, root canal treatment, and surgical removal of impacted teeth. Also of great importance in preventative dentistry is the discovery of other oral diseases, such as cancer, through oral cancer screenings.

The Benefits of Preventative Dentistry

The time you take to care for your teeth and gums is worth it. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and seeing your dentist regularly, you can keep your smile healthy for a lifetime. Preventative dentistry can greatly reduce your risk of tooth loss, dental cavities, periodontal disease, tooth infections, and other dental problems. This, in turn, can reduce your risk of health problems caused by poor oral health such as stroke, heart disease, heart attack, and premature labor.

Adopting a Preventive Dental Diet

Your diet can help or hurt your dental health. To keep your mouth healthy, avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Sugar fuels the bacteria that cause cavities. Steer clear of hard foods that can crack or chip your teeth. You also need calcium for healthy teeth. Low-fat dairy products, fortified rice and soy beverages, and leafy greens are excellent sources of calcium. Don't drink too much alcohol. Alcohol can lead to dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. And heavy drinking increases your risk of mouth cancer.

The Ideal Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

Floss your teeth once a day. Flossing allows you to reach between your teeth where the bristles cannot reach. By flossing every day, you lower your odds of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Brush your teeth at least two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Don't brush more than three times a day. Brushing your teeth too much can wear down your enamel. Using mouth rinses can also make a positive impact on oral health. There are mouth rinses that treat bad breath and help prevent plaque buildup, tooth decay and gum disease.

How Often to See Your Dentist

Regular dental visits are important at any age. If seeing a dentist regularly hasn't been one of your top priorities for the last few years, it should be. In order to maintain good oral health, you should visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and dental cleanings. Some people may need more frequent dental visits. Your dentist can advise you on how often you need to visit based on your general and oral health and your risk factors for tooth decay and gum disease.

It’s time to take charge of your oral health. Call Newmarket Dentistry at (905) 830-1010 today to schedule an appointment for a dental checkup in Newmarket, ON. Regular dental visits will get you on the road to good oral health. You will experience exemplary service and state-of-the-art care at Newmarket Dentistry!

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