In order to ensure you are getting proper oral care and treatment, it is important that you visit the best local dentist and hygienist in your area. When you go to the best, they are not only going to provide a full oral exam, and check for possible signs of gum infections or tooth decay, they are also going to be someone who can spot potential illnesses or lingering diseases that might be related to cardiovascular health, and other conditions, which can first be spotted in an oral exam, or a basic tooth cleaning.
Regular Cleanings
As a patient, it is best if you can go in for a professional cleaning at least twice a year. It is also a good idea to get a deep cleaning every few years, in order to truly get in below the gums, and to properly clean the teeth. With a cleaning, not only are your teeth going to appear whiter, your hygienist is also going to clean the gum line, which is something you can’t do on your own, even if you properly floss and brush your teeth on a regular basis.
Oral Checkup
Another part of proper oral care and dental care is coming in for a routine checkup. Whether it is spotted by the hygienist, or whether you are coming in for a meeting with your dentist because you have pain, or feel you might have a cavity, you need to be seen immediately. A dentist is the only solution to the pain. Dentists can also spot possible problems you would never know about without proper care and treatment. From TMJ, lock jaw, teeth grinding and clenching; these are all issues a dentist will spot, and will provide you with the proper treatment, and devices (such as night guards or a bite plate), to keep you from making the problem worse.
Oral Care at Home
For the months in between your checkups and visits, you have to make sure you properly care for your teeth. From brushing after every meal, to flossing after every meal (or at least when possible at home), using mouth rinse, and other oral products to keep the mouth clean and fresh, are things you have to do. The longer the time you go without brushing, the more bacterial buildup there is; this is what causes cavities, bad breath, other oral conditions, and possibly other conditions that are not related to oral health. So, you have to make sure you take the proper steps each time you brush and floss and that you are properly caring for your teeth at home.
The best oral care and treatment does start at home. Since you can’t get to a dentist office on a daily basis, you have to care for your teeth. It is important to go in for routine checkups, and if you notice pain, or anything that is not common, you have to immediately schedule an appointment with your dentist. The best method to avoid cavities, pain, and other oral related illnesses, is prevention; the best way to stop a problem before it happens, is through proper oral care at home, and regular visits to a dentist during the course of the year.