An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, they say. That’s especially true when it comes to a healthy mouth.
So what is the preventive care model of dental health?
Just as it sounds, ‘preventive dentistry’ is an approach to dental health that focuses on preventing dental problems before they occur.
Simply put, that means caring for your teeth properly – brushing and flossing regularly, as well as regular checkups. Done properly, the benefits are myriad: whiter, stronger, healthier teeth; less gum disease and fewer cavities and fillings.
Done improperly – or not at all – the outlook is less bright. Serious dental intervention can be uncomfortable and expensive of course, but there’s more to the downside than just the inconvenience of treatment: Poor oral health is linked to a host of illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. A 2010 study concluded that gum disease could raise a person’s risk of heart disease by around 20%. Similarly, a review of 23 different studies found a connection between oral health and cognitive aspects such as memory and executive function.
Luckily, there’s a solution. A little effort applied consistently can go a long way to mitigating the risks associated with poor oral health.
The secret is to do the little things, often.
Brush daily. In fact, brush twice daily, morning and night. Brushing helps prevent cavities and gum disease, the latter of which causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss.
Floss daily too. Flossing removes plaque which can lead to tartar, keeps hard to reach spots between teeth and makes your toothbrushing even more effective.
Eat a healthy, varied diet. A healthy diet is central to long term wellbeing. Be sure to include a range of tooth-friendly choices such as calcium-rich foods, as well as those with high levels of vitamin C and phosphorus. Teeth love raw vegetables,too!
Visit the dentist regularly. Simply Dental strongly supports a prevention-oriented approach. We can help you build and maintain a solid healthcare plan that reduces your overall dental costs and can significantly contribute to a lifetime of dental health and general wellbeing.
During your appointment we’ll conduct a full assessment of your current oral health status and self-care habits and create a full personal oral hygiene programme for you. From there, we offer a full range of prevention and maintenance services including cleaning, stain removal, filling polishing, coatings for sensitive or vulnerable teeth, flouride treatments and custom mouthguards.
Having the best oral health you can needn’t be difficult, and we’re here to help. Call Simply Dental on 0800 123 343 for a consultation.