Preventative Dentist in Williamsville, NY
A preventative dentist helps you maintain your oral health and stop problems before they become serious. Prevention starts with regular cleanings to help control plaque and calculus.
Brushing and flossing twice a day, plus regular visits to your local dentist, can prevent your teeth from giving into the general wear and tear that comes from everyday life. A program of preventive dental care is the one of the most important service we provide.
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The American Dental Association, the nationwide professional organization at the forefront of dental research, advises everyone to schedule checkups with her or his preventative dentist at least twice a year. These visits can help to identify any conditions and diseases before they emerge, keeping your dental health in check. Your dentist may prescribe several measures in order to better ensure your oral health, such as cleanings, screenings, exams, and devices to wear while at home. Because even the most careful brushers and flossers can miss a bit of plaque here and there, dental cleanings pick up the slack, removing much of the biofilm, stains, and tartar that build up on the surface of the teeth. Your preventative dentist can use scan such as X-rays to search for cavities and other disease-related complications that may lie out of sight underneath the gums. If you play contact sports or experience a chronic condition such as bruxism (grinding), you may be eligible for a mouth guard, which will protect your teeth from fractures and tooth wear. A sealant applied to the molars and premolars can also prevent tooth decay. At your next appointment, you should ask your dentist which of these procedures might be most beneficial to your dental health.
Your dentist is limited, though, if you do not take proper care of your teeth in between appointments. There are numerous steps that you can take at home or even while at work to maintain a high standard of oral care. When you brush your teeth, make sure that you use a toothpaste containing fluoride, a chemical that fortifies teeth and fends off hazards such as dental caries. Use of a fluoridated mouthwash can bolster the effects of brushing and flossing. In addition, though we all enjoy flavorful snacks and desserts on occasion, nutrition is key to staving off tooth decay. Consumption of carbohydrates such as sugar spurs the development and proliferation of oral bacteria that can break down teeth, and nutritional hypocalcemia (inadequate intake of calcium in the diet) can have a negative effect on the health of your bones, particularly your teeth and jaw. Drug use, especially from tobacco and alcohol, is harmful to the teeth; discoloration is a common side effect, and smoking often leads to edentulism (tooth loss) and oral cancer.
Proper education is essential to combating issues with your dental hygiene. As you brush, floss, and use mouthwash, you should avail yourself of the many resources available online or through your preventative dentist so that you can be prepared for any potential problems that can affect your oral health. Preventative dentistry will strengthen your teeth and all but guarantee that you will not have to face expensive treatments or surgeries in the years to come.
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Schedule a preventative dentistry check-up today with Douglas Hamill DDS an experienced preventative dentist in Williamsville, NY.
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