With dental and overall health closely intertwined, routine preventive dental visits have never been more essential for guarding your health and well-being. When you visit your dentist every six months for teeth cleanings and checkups, we can identify problems early on before they become more significant concerns. We can also help you protect your overall well-being by spotting early signs of gum disease before it contributes to other health concerns like heart disease and diabetes. Here's what you should know.
What Is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry refers to the routine teeth cleanings and checkups we recommend every six months to protect your teeth, smile, dental health, and overall well-being. If you have gum disease, Dr. Kocherhans might recommend additional teeth cleanings throughout the year to help you successfully control your condition.
Taking baseline bitewing x-rays once each year is also recommended for internal monitoring of your teeth and dental health.
The Role of Regular Dental Checkups
Regular tooth checkups help Dr. Kocherans monitor your dental health and spot any potential concerns early on. The earlier we can spot problems like gum disease or tooth decay, the easier the treatment will be to get your dental health back on track. Many patients can see a reversal of gum disease when we catch it early on.
Daily Oral Hygiene: Your First Line of Defense
Did you know that your daily oral hygiene routine can protect you from common problems like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease? That's because plaque and bacteria in your mouth are the main contributors to these problems, and the successful daily removal of it protects your teeth, smile, and dental health.
It's recommended that you brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes (30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth) and floss once. Believe it or not, cavities can develop between your teeth, and flossing removes the plaque and bacteria that gather there.
Your dentist in Eagle River, AK, can advise you on the proper techniques and products to optimize your home care routine. For example, you might consider switching to an electric toothbrush if you haven't already since it does the hard work of brushing for you.
The Oral Systemic Connection and the Power of Preventive Dentistry
Studies have shown a clear connection between dental health and overall well-being. The bacteria contributing to the inflammation causing gum disease and other non-dental health concerns are the same since bacteria can travel through the bloodstream. This means that if you have gum disease, you may be more likely to suffer from these other chronic health concerns, and vice versa:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
Gum disease has also been linked with complications during pregnancy, such as babies with low birth weight and pregnancy diabetes.
Preventive dentistry allows us to detect gum disease (gingivitis) in its early stages, when it's easier to treat and can sometimes be reversed. You may have gingivitis if you notice bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth, swollen or irritated gums, or chronic bad breath. Now is the time to book an exam and teeth cleaning so we can treat your condition and achieve the best results.
Protecting your smile against gum disease means safeguarding your overall health and well-being.
Nutrition Recommendations for Healthy Teeth
Did you know your diet and nutrition are integral to oral health?
Reducing your sugar intake helps protect your smile from problems like tooth decay and cavities. Sugar acts as fuel for bacteria that gather in plaque on your teeth. After ingesting sugar, bacteria release acid, which eats away at your tooth enamel over time. This acid causes cavities and the need for dental fillings.
Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables will also help to protect your smile. Fruits and veggies actually neutralize the acids in your mouth that cause tooth decay. Eating fruits and vegetables also increases saliva production. Saliva is a natural protectant for your teeth that washes away debris and also counteracts the acids in your mouth.
We are happy to discuss healthy dietary choices you can make to strengthen and protect your smile.
Is It Time for Your Next Professional Dental Cleaning in Eagle River, AK?
We encourage you to contact Alpine Family Dentistry if it's time for your next professional teeth cleaning and checkup. We're ready and well-equipped to meet you where you're at, and you'll appreciate our judgment-free approach to dental care.
You can request an appointment at Alpine Family Dentistry online or talk with our team when you call us at (907) 694-2409.