Imagine this – you buy a brand new car. You regularly change its oil, rotate the tires, check the brakes, and keep it spotless inside and out. Over the years, your car remains in great condition because you worked hard to keep it running its best. Now, think about how different the condition of your car would be if you failed to get oil changes, never replaced the tires, or change burned out tail lights. Besides possibly getting a traffic ticket for failed tail lights, your once dependable car may just leave you stranded on the side of the road, and also stuck with a big service bill, too. Your mouth is no different. Just like a car, your mouth, teeth, and gums need regular maintenance.
Brush your teeth twice a day, and keep the doctor away?
Sadly, no. The saying should go something like “Visit your dentist for your regular cleanings and check-ups, brush, floss, and have genetics that don’t predispose you to bad bacteria and decrease the amount of plaque that your body makes.” But we cannot change our genetics, and we are all guilty of skipping the floss. There is not a pill you can take or a “one-size fits all” to prevent dental problems. It is a combination of many things. Establishing good oral hygiene habits every day is key to keeping the dentist away. But not too far because regular check-ups are important!
It is never too late to start caring for your oral hygiene. The first step is prioritizing preventive care.
What is Preventive Care?
Preventive care involves dental cleanings with a qualified hygienist and check-ups with the doctor to help to prevent cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath. This also includes getting bite-wing X-Rays, Panoramic X-Rays, or a Full Mouth Series of X-Rays. X-Rays help see discrepancies within your teeth and gum beyond what the naked eye can identify.
Plaque is the reason we have cavities, get our teeth cleaned, or worse…have pain. Plaque is always forming on your teeth. When plaque isn’t removed by brushing and flossing, it can become tartar or calculus build-up. When plaque gets below the gumline, it is impossible to remove with a toothbrush. A registered dental hygienist such as Allison Zimmerman or Deb Metzger are qualified to do this with proper techniques and tools.
Do I really need to visit the dentist every 6 months?
In reality, some people need to visit more than every six months! This could be due to a variety of reasons, but most people need to visit every six months for cleanings and check-ups. Do you excel at brushing and flossing daily? That is great news for your oral health and overall health, but it doesn’t substitute visiting the dentist. It also does not make you immune to decay or gingivitis.
Just remember, your oral health is similar to how you would maintain your brand new car to keep it dependable and long-lasting. There are a combination of things you can do daily to combat nasty plaque build up, but skipping your check-up shouldn’t be one of them. Prioritize your oral care routine and save yourself pain, money, and teeth, too!
Call (260) 482-3759 today for an appointment!