If you want your smile to stay healthy and beautiful for a lifetime, there are two key ingredients for the perfect recipe for superior dental health: oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. While many often believe home oral care is the only prevention you need to promote your dental health, regular appointments with your dentist are equally as important. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen provides the information you need to promote your dental hygiene in Norman.
Home Oral Hygiene
Your home oral hygiene routine is your first line of defense against tooth decay and gum disease. You need to brush your teeth twice a day to remove foods particles, plaque, and bacteria from the teeth. Unfortunately, only seven out of ten Americans brush their teeth each day. If you only brush your teeth once a day, you are leaving your teeth and gums at risk for serious dental problems, which can eventually lead to tooth loss and overall health complications.
In addition to brushing, you also need to floss your teeth each day. However, only four out of ten Americans floss their teeth daily, and another 20% admit to never flossing at all. Flossing removes what brushing has left behind. Even with the best brushing methods, your toothbrush cannot remove plaque and tarter near the gum line or in between the teeth. If the gum line and in between the teeth are not cleaned each day, the gums will become infected, leading to gum disease.
Regular Dental Appointments
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily, you are still only doing half of what is needed to protect your oral health. For maximum dental hygiene, you need to visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings, as recommended by the American Dental Association.
Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and tarter that is trapped in the gum line. Without these professional cleanings, the bacteria found in plaque will remain trapped, promoting the development of gum disease. In addition, areas of the teeth that are difficult to clean, such as the back molars, will be properly cleaned to prevent tooth decay.
A semi-annual appointment also involves a comprehensive dental examination. At each preventive appointment, the health of the teeth and gums are accessed. This allows us to monitor the health of your teeth while detecting areas of concern early. With early detection, we provide the prompt treatment needed to stop the problem from becoming worse. By doing so, you will reduce the need for costly or invasive procedures needed in the future.
During routine appointments, we will also recommend additional preventive measures, which may include applying dental sealants to the teeth or the use of fluoride treatments. These preventive steps will stop the development of tooth decay before they even have a chance to form.
Promote Your Dental Health
With the right home care and regular visits to your dentist in Norman, you will enhance the health and beauty of your smile. If you need a dental cleaning and checkup, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.