Preventive oral health care can sometimes seem like no big deal — does it really matter if a busy schedule causes you to skip a daily brushing or dental checkup?
We’re here to say that yes, it does matter! Preventive care helps reduce mouth bacteria and keep your mouth clean and healthy. Without it, oral health problems can start to add up — and when you consider the entire country, they really start to add up.
An average of 51 million school hours are lost each year due to emergency dental care, and U.S. businesses lose over $45 billion in productivity due to untreated and preventable dental disease.
Ready, set, prevent
So, what is considered preventive care? It’s a combination of at-home care, visiting your dentist for preventive checkups, and a little planning while you’re outside or playing sports.
Daily brushing:
How it helps: If you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, twice-daily brushing will reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, reducing your risk for oral health concerns such as cavities and gum disease. The fluoride from the toothpaste will also help remineralize and strengthen your enamel.Daily flossing:
How it helps: Dental floss removes bacteria and plaque between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach, preventing unseen cavities as well as bad breath.
Preventive checkups:
How it helps: These visits allow your dentist to monitor your teeth, gums, and mouth for signs of trouble, perform a thorough cleaning, oral cancer screening and dental exam, take any necessary X-rays, administer fluoride treatments, and simply advise you on how to care for your oral health.Mouth guards:
How it helps: Mouth guards help prevent numerous oral injuries, such as cracked or broken teeth, cuts to the tongue, cheeks, and gums, and injuries to the jaw.
In addition to using a mouth guard, you can help prevent oral injuries by wearing any other recommended safety gear during sports, using a seatbelt in the car, and taking extra precaution when you’re walking on slick or icy steps and sidewalks.
Shielding your skin and lips from the sun:
Make preventive care a routine habit
You have the power to maintain or improve your oral health with routine preventive care. Find your own way to stick to a daily routine and make sure you attend your scheduled dentist appointments. We make it easy to find an in-network dentist near you at www.deltadentalnc.com/findadentist.