Going to the dentist requires that you take an active role in your dental health care and maintenance. Although professionals are trained to look out for dental issues and to clean your mouth to meet standards of optimal health, you should still pay attention to the specific dental procedures your dentist or dental hygienist recommends and performs during your appointment.
In this article, we discuss the routine dental care that should commence during your routine visits. Here are three routine dental care procedures for a brighter, healthy smile.
1. Consistent Teeth Cleanings:
While you should already be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, when you go to the dentist, make sure that you’re given professional teeth cleaning.
The devices that dentists use to remove plaque and build-up in the mouth are much more effective than your daily brushing. For this reason, you must make sure that a teeth cleaning is performed at each of your visits. Without this routine cleaning, you are more susceptible to gum disease, and issues like gum disease and cavities.
2. Ask For a Deep Cleaning:
In addition to your routine teeth cleaning, you should also ask your dentist to perform deep cleaning at one of your yearly appointments.
The purpose behind deep cleanings is to ensure that the area beneath the gums stays healthy. The focus is to target the buildup that has accumulated underneath the gums. In doing so, you will further reduce your risk of gum disease, teeth whitening, and other dental complications that could compromise your health.
3. Teeth Whitening and Strengthening Services:
If you are interested in preserving the appearance of your teeth, you might also consider asking your dentist to perform a routine teeth whitening service at one of your appointments. Choose teeth whitening for a cost-effective way to maintain a brighter smile.
Your provider might be willing to perform the teeth whitening themselves or will offer you at-home professional-grade products that you can use to complete the teeth whitening yourself. You can expect to pay around $50 for a professional teeth whitening by your dentist.
In addition to routine brushing and flossing, you can reduce acid buildup with regular fluoride treatments. Fluoride makes it easier for your teeth to resist acidity.
Your enamel becomes more deeply protected and less likely to dissolve. Many kinds of toothpaste contain fluoride, which is part of the reason dentists recommend brushing twice a day. The more you work to build up your resistance to dentin decay, the healthier your teeth will remain.
Fluoride treatments only take a few minutes to complete, so be sure to inform your dental provider that you are interested in a quick fluoride treatment when it is time for your regular visit.
The Bottom Line:
It is wise to trust your dental professional, but that does not mean you should not keep track of your dental health on your own. Check off these routine treatments as you go about your yearly checkups for the best dental health possible.