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How many times have you dealt with a serious issue and thought to yourself, "I could very easily have prevented this!"? It's usually true. Whether it's a problem with your car, your home, or your general health, it would likely have been prevented with some upkeep and care. This is especially true of your dental health. Taking some simple steps to maintain and care for your teeth and gums can save you a lot of time, money, and physical discomfort and ensure you've always got a radiant smile!
What Is Preventive Dental Care?
Preventative dental care in Tampa is made up of all of the seemingly small things that you can do over time while your teeth are healthy to prevent more painful and time-consuming issues down the line. By brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily, you can prevent the bacteria that becomes plaque, which can become tartar and lead to gum disease, from building up on the surfaces of your teeth and gums.
Rinsing your mouth regularly with antiseptic mouthwash will kill any residual bacteria on the surface of your teeth and in hard-to-reach parts of your mouth.
Eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of plaque buildup and is good for your overall immune system. Conversely, it's important to avoid foods high in starch and processed sugars, as they make it easier for the bacteria that lead to gum disease to grow.
And don't forget to make regular trips to the dentist (try to aim for every six months) for routine checkups and dental cleanings allow your dentist to ensure the health and cleanliness of your teeth and to identify any risk factors of gum disease or tooth decay before they become serious issues.
What Are the Risks of Poor Preventive Dental Care?
It's almost difficult to overstate the risks involved with poor preventive dental care. Neglecting your teeth or simply taking them for granted while they are healthy can have a variety of negative effects, some of them quite serious, including:
- Cavities – Without regular brushing, flossing and professional cleanings, plaque and tartar can build up on teeth and gums, leading to cavities. If left untreated, cavities can grow with time, eroding the tooth's enamel and subjecting the delicate pulp (nerves and blood vessels) inside to possible decay and infection, which could require a root canal or tooth extraction to treat.
- Gum disease – Similarly, poor oral hygiene can also lead to gum disease. In the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, the gums can become red and swollen. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, which can have far more severe consequences, including bleeding, swelling, and tooth and bone loss.
- Tooth loss – Cavities and gum disease that are left untreated for a prolonged period can result in painful abscesses (pockets of pus around the tooth) and infection, which can not only be painful and expensive to treat but can also threaten the tooth itself.
- Bad breath – In addition to physical discomfort, bacteria, if allowed to accumulate in the mouth, can cause bad breath. It's important not to discount its effect on self-confidence and one's social life.
- Oral cancer – Regular dental checkups in Tampa can help your dentist detect any signs of cancer of the mouth, gums, lips, and even lymph nodes in their early stages, dramatically increasing the chances of successful treatment.
Why Good At-Home Oral Hygiene Alone May Not Be Enough
Like all instruments subjected to frequent and repetitive use, your teeth are subject to wear and tear. This means that, even if you maintain a strong oral health routine, constant use can result in wear and tear on your teeth. It's for this reason that, of all of the preventative dental measures listed above, becoming a regular at your local dental office may be the most important.
With regular checkups every six months, your Tampa dentist is able to identify not only the signs of dental health issues before they are big problems but also spot signs of wear associated with normal chewing, drinking, and speaking that may themselves one day begin to weaken your tooth. This, at its core, is the essence of preventative dental care taking care to prevent the issues that are most likely to arise, and, even when those preventative measures fall short, identifying occurrences of those issues long before they've developed into full-fledged problems, and require an emergency dentist's attention.
Preventative Dental Care in Tampa, FL
If you are in the Tampa area and want to ensure that you are taking the most effective preventative care measures with your teeth, contact dentist Dr. Roberto Bellegarrigue and the team at North Tampa Dentistry to schedule a consultation appointment.