Smile with us! We want you to have clean, healthy, and white teeth. Our soothing spa music in the background sets you up for a relaxing dental appointment at The Landing Dental Spa in Morgantown, West Virginia. To maintain your pearly whites, you need to participate in preventive dentistry actively – don’t worry; we are happy to help.
WHAT IS PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY?
Preventive dentistry is the practice of taking care of your teeth to keep them healthy. It aids in the avoidance of oral diseases along with helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, enamel wear, gingivitis and periodontitis, which can lead to sensitivity.
How do cavities and gum disease develop? According to Mayo Clinic, the sugar and starches from your food stay on your teeth. Your mouth contains harmful bacteria, and the living bacteria in your mouth eats the food, turns it to acid, which then dissolves the surface of your tooth.
It is especially important for children to receive attentive oral care, for they are developing new teet, and we want them to come in strong and healthy. For adults, it can help them to maintain their real teeth.
With the proper oral care, the early signs of cavities and gum disease will be reversed, providing you with a lifetime of healthy smiles. If your oral health care is not treated correctly, secondary problems can accumulate over time, including diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, or cancer.
Additionally, practicing preventive dentistry can help you save money over time. The treatments for poor oral hygiene can add up and become costly.
Oral health connects to the health of your body as a whole. Oral care involves education, treatment and the practice of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You can accomplish this in several ways that will be discussed below.
SIMPLE TIPS FOR A HEALTHY, LONG-LASTING SMILE
Most importantly, brush your teeth twice a day.
It is recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. The soft bristles prevent damage to the enamel, while fluoride is a mineral that protects your teeth from decaying.
At a 45-degree angle, brush in circles with short, back and forth strokes. Replace your toothbrush three to four times a year, either when you get sick, or you can feel the bristles beginning to fray.
Don’t forget to brush your tongue, as it removes bacteria from your mouth and helps to freshen your breath. Avoid eating for 30 minutes after brushing to maintain a clean mouth.
Floss daily.
Flossing removes the plaque and food stuck in between your teeth in places the toothbrush can’t reach. The tight spaces between your teeth and beneath your gum line are vulnerable for built-up plaque to develop into tartar, a crusty deposit that causes discoloration on teeth.
Rinse your mouth with water after flossing. To make sure you are flossing correctly, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist questions or a quick flossing demonstration.
Eat and drink a balanced diet.
Eating a diet with a variety of vitamins and nutrients aids in the protection of your teeth. Your teeth are composed of minerals, so it is valuable to get all of the vitamins needed to maintain your healthy smile.
You should minimize sugary foods and drinks. The bacteria in your mouth needs sugar to produce acids that weaken your enamel and damage teeth. When sugar is consumed, the demineralization process begins and lasts up to an hour for the mouth to return to normal, non-acidic pH conditions.
Additional foods to avoid include fast food and fermentable carbs. These foods can lead to tooth decay, which occurs when plaque stays on your teeth for too long. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth.
We recommend choosing low-sugar snacks like starchy vegetables, fruits, low-fat, or fat-free cheese with fewer sugary sodas.
Drinking water consistently throughout the day can improve your oral health by strengthening your teeth and keep your mouth clean from unwanted acids.
Drink beverages through a straw to minimize your teeth being exposed to bacteria-causing acids. Chewing sugarless gum for 10 minutes after meals are said to reduce decay, according to the American Dental Association.
Stop or reduce substance use.
It is recommended not to smoke, chew tobacco, or drink alcohol for your oral health. Smoking and chewing tobacco can put you at risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum disease.
If alcohol is consumed, it should be drunk in moderation. Alcohol not consumed in moderation can also increase your risk for oral cancer.
Visit your dentist regularly.
The purpose of a dental appointment is to get your oral health examined. Your dentist will identify any problems with your teeth or gums and prevent cavities or gum disease from developing into a more severe condition. You can expect our providers to take care of your oral health right away through a dental exam and x-rays.
Reinforce your dentist’s work by using fluoride approved by the American Dental Association (ADA), which can help make your teeth more resistant to decay. You should still go in for a checkup even if you do not have natural teeth or wear dentures.
At The Landing Dental Spa, we are preferred providers for Delta Dental United Concordia and MetLife. We will be happy to file additional benefits providers in your convenience. Care Credit is an affordable payment plan option with low-interest rates, and no prepay penalties. We also offer a 10 percent discount for payment in full at the time of your appointment for treatments $1,000 and above. Find out more about our Financial Policy here.
THE LANDING DENTAL SPA | PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY IN MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA
At The Landing Dental Spa, we offer a state-of-the-art dental office with a spa-like atmosphere. We will provide you with a healthy smile in a relaxing atmosphere. From aromatherapy to a personal flat-screen TV and dental chairs with heating and massaging features, our practice has many key differences from your average dental office.
Several services we provide include cleanings, disease treatments, Invisalign, dentures and patient education software. We take pride in making our patients comfortable. Our goal is to provide the most relaxing dental experience possible. We always go the extra mile to make sure your appointment isn’t just bearable, but it is enjoyable.
We look forward to making you smile. To schedule your appointment today, give us a call at (304) 594-2200.
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