Maximizing Your Oral Health Potential: A Comprehensive Guide

Maintaining optimal oral health is about more than just brushing and flossing daily. Preventative dentistry involves education, treatment, and taking the necessary steps to ensure healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. From regular checkups to professional cleanings, developing a comprehensive preventive dentistry routine can help you avoid gum disease, cavities, and other dental issues that could affect your overall well-being.

Why Preventative Dentistry Matters

At Gregory J. Schmitt, DMD, we believe in proactive approach to maintaining good oral health. Here are the steps our dedicated staff recommends for keeping your smile and those of your loved ones in top shape:

• Establish a strong foundation for good oral hygiene by brushing teeth for two minutes twice daily with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Flossing is also crucial to remove plaque and food particles from areas where your toothbrush cannot reach.
• Follow a balanced diet, avoiding foods high in sugars or acids. Limit sticky sweets and be sure to brush afterward. Reach for water instead of soda or sports drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay.
• Avoid harmful oral habits like nail biting, chewing on pencils or ice, lip or tongue piercings, and smoking or using tobacco products. If your child is prone to thumb-sucking, encourage them to break the habit at home or seek dental advice.
• Attend regular checkups, professional cleanings, and routine care as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Preventative Care: A Key Ingredient for Optimal Oral Health

Our top priority is helping patients of all ages enjoy the benefits of good oral health. You can count on our practice to provide you and your family with the guidance, resources, and care needed to establish a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

During routine checkup visits, we carefully assess each patient's oral cavity, looking for early signs of dental disease or other issues that could impact overall well-being. We review medical and dental histories before performing an extra and intra-oral examination. We screen for oral cancer and evaluate occlusion, TMJ function, and more. If necessary, we may recommend diagnostic films to detect cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral pathology.

As part of a comprehensive preventive care program, professional dental cleanings serve as an excellent opportunity to remove any accumulated plaque and tartar that your toothbrush has not reached. Since dental plaque and tartar harbor bacteria that cause dental disease, a professional cleaning helps protect your smile from the damage associated with cavities and gum disease. We'll also use this time to provide guidance on brushing and flossing techniques, as well as offer nutritional counseling to support overall oral health.

For our younger patients, we may recommend periodic fluoride treatments or dental sealants to help shield teeth against tooth decay. These protective measures are particularly beneficial for children with high risk factors for developing cavities.

At the office of Gregory J. Schmitt, DMD, we offer comprehensive care to support healthy, beautiful smiles! Call today for more information on our practice and the many services we provide.