Tips for Preventative Dental Care in Mission Viejo

We provide preventative dental care in Mission Viejo and can help you to have lifelong oral health.  There are steps that you can take for your health and the health of your family.  These steps include daily care at home and regular dental visits.  Working together is the best way to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy which makes us your partner in oral health.  Here are some suggestions that you should try –
What to do when visiting our office.

You should schedule a dental examination and teeth cleaning for twice a year.  This way, we can remove any plaque that has built up in between your teeth, in hard to reach places, and along your gums.  Even if you practice good, at-home care, it can be difficult to keep your teeth plaque-free.  The more frequently you visit our office, the less likely you are to get cavities since we can remove anything that you were unable to get at home. Doing so is also important for preventing gum disease.  If we notice that you have particularly deep ridges on the chewing surfaces of your teeth, we may recommend that you use dental sealant.  In this procedure, we apply a thin material to your chewing surfaces so that a barrier will exist.  This prevents food from becoming stuck and reduces the risk of you getting cavities in these particular spots.  We may also recommend a fluoride treatment.  While this is more common in children, adults can benefit from fluoride as well since it is a mineral that can strengthen the teeth, decreasing the risk of getting cavities by thirty percent or more. During these appointments, we will also let you know if you have any cavities that need to be treated.

What to do at home.

In addition to visiting our office for preventative dental care, there are steps you can take to stay healthy at home.  We recommend that you start by making changes to your diet.  Eat food that is full of nutrients like crunchy veggies, green and leafy vegetables, lean protein, dairy and nuts.  These foods can remineralize and strengthen your teeth.  On the other hand, food that is high in sugar or starch can increase your risk of getting cavities because bacteria can grow in this environment, creating plaque as it does. You should also drink plenty of water since water can wash away loose food particles and sugar from your teeth while also keeping your mouth moist and breath fresh.

On a daily basis, be sure to brush your teeth two to three times with a soft or electronic toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.  Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months and you need to brush in a circular pattern starting at the gum line and moving towards the center of the mouth.  Be sure to also floss and get all the way down by your gums in order to decrease your chances of getting gum disease.

For more healthy tips, call our office at (949) 201-4721 and schedule an appointment for preventative dental care in Mission Viejo.