It’s easy to put off until tomorrow what you can do today. When it comes to routine oral health measures, that fleeting convenience can carry some significant costs. Never underestimate the power of proactive, preventive steps like regular (twice-a-year) teeth cleanings and oral exams to ward off the need for pricy, painful, and invasive treatments in the future.
What are the most effective and simple steps we can take today to ensure optimal, stress-free oral health in the long term? Let’s take a look!
The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings and Solid At-Home Care
Preventive dental care involves small, seemingly minor daily steps that can prevent painful and time-consuming problems later, including:
- Effective at-home oral hygiene practices — Brushing and flossing at least twice a day, along with regular rinses using antibacterial mouthwash, help prevent the plaque and tartar buildup that causes tooth decay and gum disease.
- A healthy diet — This involves swapping out foods and beverages high in acids and processed sugars for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, calcium, and whole grains.
- Avoid tobacco — Smoking and smokeless tobacco elevate the risk of gum disease and complicate treatment.
- Regular dental visits — Routine checkups and cleanings enable your dentist to monitor your oral health, identifying and treating minor issues before they escalate into serious problems such as gum disease or advanced tooth decay.
The Importance of Regular Dental Visits
Even the best at-home oral hygiene practices cannot thoroughly clean every corner of a person’s mouth or offset the wear and tear from daily use. Regular dental checkups — every six months, unless otherwise advised by a dentist — enable your dentist to evaluate the overall state of your oral health, address minor issues before they escalate, and proactively screen for oral cancers.
These dedicated visits are crucial to maintaining a radiant smile and day-to-day quality of life, mitigating the risk of painful issues, and the need for complex, invasive emergency measures, like root canal therapy, in the future.
Oral Exams and Dental Cleanings in Eagle River, AK
If you're looking for a dentist in Eagle River 99577 to help you take every possible precaution to ensure a lifetime of beautiful smiles and healthy, robust bites, contact Dr. Brett Kocherhans and the caring and friendly Alpine Family Dentistry team to schedule your next appointment!