Preventative Dentistry with Professional Teeth Cleaning
One of the most important treatments you will receive at our St. Louis dental office is in fact just your regular dental cleaning. Professional cleanings with our dental hygienists accomplish a few things. To start, it removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth that would eventually result in cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease. Once we remove it, you remove your risk of developing these problems that may result in tooth loss down the line.
We also use professional polishing to remove bacterial tartar from your tooth’s surface. It also buffs away microscopic plaque and surface stains to leave your teeth smooth, shiny and stain-free. Sometimes, discoloration can work its way deep into the enamel, and then we want to remove it chemically rather than buffing it away. In that case, we’d recommend teeth whitening.
Preventative Dentistry at Home
It’s just as important to take preventive dentistry seriously at home as it is in our dental office. Good oral care needs to be established at home for optimal dental health. By simply carving away a few minutes per day dedicated to dental hygiene, you could be saving yourself from a lifetime of dental problems. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice per day: once before bed and once after waking. You can also brush in-between meals for the best results.
Although it’s important to brush your teeth often, it’s also important to brush them correctly. Talk to your dental hygienist about areas you might be missing when you brush. For best results, use an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes work better because even the laziest brushers can get a clean smile.
You should also take time out of your day to floss before bedtime. Flossing removes plaque and debris stuck between the teeth that may otherwise result in tooth decay or cavities.
Aside from brushing and flossing regularly, we recommend avoiding sugary drinks and foods high in carbohydrates or sugar. If you happen to have something sweet, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward. Our patients can also use fluoride mouthwashes or chew sugar-free gum to benefit their oral health.
Sealants
One of the preventive procedures we offer in St. Louis, especially for our younger patients, are dental sealants. Sealants reduce cavities by filling in the grooves of molars to prevent food and debris from becoming trapped in the deep canyons of your teeth.
This quick procedure is given primarily to children to prevent cavities and tooth decay, but adults can benefit, too. Research confirms a 90% reduction in chewing surface cavity activity in sealed molars. Sealants can last up to 10 years. This simple step can help your child enjoy adolescence without the cavities.
Protect Your Teeth
If you’re overdue for a dental exam or another preventive dentistry treatment, don’t hesitate to make your next appointment with our St. Louis dentist. We even offer a selection of sedation dentistry options to help you feel relaxed and at ease for your entire appointment. Prevent dental problems for life when you schedule an appointment by calling Smile on Dental Studio in Richmond Heights, MO at (314) 678-7876.
