Preventative Dental Care
Preventative dental care is easily defined as taking good care of your teeth and gums to avoid dental disease. This includes brushing, flossing, eating a healthy diet and seeing your family dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and exams.
Preventative dental care is essential to protecting the overall health of your teeth and gums. Proper brushing and daily flossing helps remove plaque from the surfaces and in between your teeth and flushes harmful bacteria from your mouth. Good habits, combined with routine dental exams and regular cleanings may help prevent the incidence of higher-cost treatments such as periodontal surgery, root canals, extractions, and fillings. After all, early detection and prevention are key to minimizing your need for more serious dental treatment.
This should be an individualized plan that matches you, your current dental health, your dental history, your risk factors and personal preference. Your treatment schedule may mean you visit Dentistry of Virginia Beach once a year, or once every three to six months. Dr. Pelaez will recommend the frequency of visits that’s right for you.
The ADA recommends the following steps for good dental health
- Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
- Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
- Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
- Eat a balanced diet, and limit non-plain water drinks and between-meal snacks.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
Dr. Pelaez can recommend which toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and/or other products are the best for your teeth, and can help you determine how many cleanings are recommended for you each year – and why you may need more than one. Dr. Pelaez can help you determine if you are at risk for any dental diseases. If you are at risk, Dr. Pelaez can recommend changes in your routine dental care to help control this risk.