Did you know that the majority of oral health problems can be prevented? From cavities to gum disease to tooth loss, you can prevent many oral health diseases and problems from plaguing your smile. Our Asheville family dentist practice specializes in educating our patients and working with them to take the best possible care of their smiles!
How can you prevent problems from arising in your mouth, and what services do we offer to help you prevent oral health problems?
Prevention: What You Can Do
The good news is that preventing oral health problems is simple. By taking regular care of your teeth such as brushing, flossing, and visiting our Asheville dental practice twice a year for checkups, you can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and more oral health issues.
Brushing
We recommend that you brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and quality toothpaste with fluoride. Brushing gently can help to remove stains and plaque, freshen breath, and prevent the buildup of bad bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. If you have any questions, even about which toothpaste to use or if your brushing techniques are effective, ask our dental hygienist or your dentist in Asheville NC, Dr. Saunders!
Flossing
We also recommend that you floss once a day to help supplement your brushing and remove particles and plaque in those tight spaces between teeth. Flossing can seem like a chore, but you’ll adjust to the practice in time, and once a day only takes a few minutes. Teach your kids about flossing and make a game out of it to encourage their proper flossing habits!
Eating Right
Sugary foods can ruin your smile over time, especially if you’re not brushing, flossing, or getting regular checkups. Sugary foods and drinks are extremely acidic and can eat away at your tooth enamel, encourage the growth of bad bacteria and plaque, and eventually lead to cavities and tooth decay. Incorporate more fresh foods into your diet, minimize sugary drinks and processed foods, and get plenty of healthy fats. All these practices can ensure your smile stays healthy and limit the damage from sugary and processed foods.
Checkups
Getting regular checkups with Dr. Saunders at our Asheville dental practice can prevent any problems before they happen. That’s what we’re here for. From your first dental examination with us to regular checkups and professional cleanings, we ensure that your smile is as healthy as possible. We conduct oral cancer screenings, examine your teeth and gums for any problems, and can even treat and reverse gum disease.
Although brushing, flossing, and eating right can keep your smile looking great, there’s no substitute for having a trained, professional Asheville dentist examine your smile and supplement your home practices (and even help you improve them) to keep your smile gorgeous!
What Preventive Services Do We Offer?
At our Asheville dental practice, we offer a variety of preventative services to keep your smile healthy. These include:
- Professional cleanings. A proper cleaning by a trained dentist in Asheville NC can keep plaque and bacteria from taking over in addition to your normal brushing and flossing routine. We can also help to identify any areas you’re missing when you clean!
- Exams. A dental examination can help to spot any problems before they happen and prevent any future dental care that may have been needed without an exam!
- Fluoride treatments. Fluoride treatments can help to prevent decay, and not just for kids! This element is applied directly to your teeth to strengthen your enamel and inhibit decay.
- Tooth sealants. Sealants aren’t just for your kids. Adults who have a high incurrence of cavities or decay could benefit from sealants. This plastic-like material covers at-risk teeth from getting cavities and lasts for years.
For every dollar you spend on preventative measures for your oral health care, you save as much as fifty dollars on dental work and emergency care in the future! So take the best care of your teeth schedule an appointment with us to see how you’re doing with brushing and flossing and to learn more about what preventative measures we offer for you and your kids. We’re here to support your smile and the care you take of it! 828-277-6060.