Tiny smiles require just as much attention as adult smiles, if not more. After all, they are not only facing the same threats to their oral health that you face on a daily basis, but they are still developing. If anything, the sooner you start preventive care and treatment, the better your little one’s chances are of maintaining a healthy smile. Indeed, your preventive routine matters tremendously, and it is important that you take the steps necessary to ensure best practices. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI dentist discusses what constitutes a well-rounded preventive dental routine and what steps you can take to better prioritize your smile’s health.
More Than Simply Brushing
Whether you are aware of it or not, dental prevention is the name of the game when it comes to taking care of your teeth. Indeed, there may several different areas of dentistry out there that specialize in their own practices, but prevention is a constant across all fronts.
You see, dental prevention consists of any practice that aims to minimize the threat of plaque, tartar, and other bacteria-related concerns, strengthen your natural defenses, and of course, provide for a better overall clean. While restorative treatments serve to address concerns after they have already been established, prevention aims to keep your defenses strong so that these issues do not develop, to begin with.
At home, your preventive dental routine likely consists of brushing your teeth. Though this is a healthy foundation of care, it is far from a complete routine. As a matter of fact, your dentist recommends brushing in addition to flossing between meals and rinsing using an antiseptic mouthwash. For more information about this process and what our team can do to help, give us a call today.
How Your Diet Plays a Role
In addition to your at-home preventive practices, it is important to recognize the role that your diet plays in your oral health outcomes. Take, for example, sugar consumption. We know that too much sugar “rots your teeth,” but how exactly is this the case? Simple: bacteria feed on sugars which cause them to produce a destructive acid, and this acid is what eats away at your teeth and lay the foundation for decay.
It is wise to keep an eye on the types of foods and beverages you consume, as many more can also sway your oral health without you even knowing it. Contact our team today to learn more.
Attending Routine Checkups
Even with consistent practice at home and an eye on your diet, no preventive routine is complete without coming into the office for a routinely-scheduled checkup and cleaning appointment. These visits allow our team to provide an in-depth look at your structures and provide feedback regarding best practices.
Learn More Today
To learn more about the importance of practicing a well-rounded preventive routine, contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI by calling 248-693-6213 and schedule your next appointment with a member of our dental team today.
