A healthy smile is a cornerstone of your overall well-being. At Honor Dental, we believe in the power of preventative dentistry—that is, taking steps to avoid problems before they even happen. It’s about being proactive, not reactive. We know that nobody wants to spend more time in a dental chair than they need to, so we focus on preventing issues so you can spend more time enjoying your healthy smile. Our goal at Honor Dental is to minimize the need for invasive procedures, and help you maintain your natural teeth for a lifetime of beautiful, healthy smiles. In this blog, we’ll discuss the important elements of preventative dentistry, including at-home habits, professional care, and specific conditions like periodontal disease. So, let’s jump in and explore how we can help you achieve optimal oral health!
You might be surprised to hear that at Honor Dental, our core philosophy is to do as little dentistry as possible. It might seem counterintuitive, but hear us out! Here at Honor Dental, we believe that anytime we have to work on a tooth or address an issue with a procedure, that process is essentially irreversible. Any dental work we do will change the natural structure of your tooth, and the less work we have to do on your teeth, the better. This isn't just better for your teeth, it’s also better for you! By focusing on preventative care, we're not only preserving the natural structure of your teeth; we're also reducing your risk of pain and discomfort, minimizing the need for costly treatments, and contributing to your overall health. We truly believe that preventative care is a long term investment in your overall well-being.
Think of it this way: it's like maintaining your car. Regular oil changes and tune-ups prevent major breakdowns down the road. Similarly, focusing on preventative dentistry is about being proactive. Rather than waiting for problems to arise (and then needing to fix them), we’re taking steps to maintain your healthy smile from the start.
The journey to a healthy smile starts with what you do at home every day. There are a few core elements that we want you to incorporate into your everyday life. Here at Honor Dental, we're big advocates for a few essential tools that can make a huge difference in your oral health. First up, the electric toothbrush! We recommend using an electric toothbrush to help you efficiently remove plaque. The vibrations of an electric toothbrush make it easier to achieve a consistently clean feeling on your teeth. We also love the water pick or oral irrigator. It's a fantastic tool for complementing your brushing routine. Think of it like power washing your mouth, gently removing debris from those hard-to-reach places along the gumline. And lastly, we can’t forget the importance of fluoride applications. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel and fight against tooth decay. Along with these methods, there are also some other medicaments that Dr. Greenslade might recommend that are specific to your needs, such as specialized toothpastes or mouthwashes. We will discuss all of these with you to make sure that you have the tools needed for success.
The key here is that the best home care routine is tailored to your specific needs. So, we encourage you to reflect on your current routine and consider making some improvements. It may seem simple, but these small everyday changes can help tremendously in the long run.
While at-home care is crucial, regular professional cleanings are also an indispensable part of preventative dentistry. We know that the thought of a dental visit can cause anxiety for many people, and that's completely understandable! That's why we've made it a priority to create an environment where you feel comfortable and at ease. Our team at Honor Dental has some of the kindest, most gentle hygienists that we’ve ever known, and they take the time to explain every step of the cleaning process. We want to be very open with you, and we encourage you to discuss any anxieties or fears you might have. Your comfort is our priority. We have cozy blankets and headphones for you to enjoy during your appointment, and we also offer numbing options, as well as nitrous oxide or oral sedatives if you feel they are needed. We'll do everything we can to make your experience with us as stress-free as possible!
Now, let's talk about the frequency of professional cleanings. For most of our patients with healthy gums, we recommend seeing us every six months—twice a year. However, if you are experiencing active gum disease (or periodontal disease), characterized by symptoms like bleeding, bone loss, or inflammation, we may recommend shortening that timeframe to every three months. This is something that we would discuss with you as it is a very personalized recommendation. Remember, regular visits allow us to stay on top of what’s going on and make sure that potential issues are addressed before they become major problems.
Beyond brushing, flossing, and regular professional care, there are several other habits and lifestyle choices that can greatly impact your oral health. We always encourage our patients to use those electric toothbrushes and water picks every day. It may seem repetitive, but they are essential tools for managing plaque. Additionally, staying on track with your regular dental visits is essential so we can keep an eye on any issues that might be developing.
There are also a few lifestyle choices that can have an impact on your oral health. For example, your nutrition can play a role. We often discuss this with our patients to come up with a personalized plan. Finally, medications can sometimes alter the oral biome and have a profound effect on the health of your mouth. The important thing to note is that the best plan for you is based on your particular needs, and we are here to help you develop that at Honor Dental.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an issue that we take very seriously here at Honor Dental. It's an infection that affects the tissues supporting your teeth, and it is strongly associated with bacteria. It's not just about bacteria, though; it also has a lot to do with how you respond to that bacteria. We're aware of these risk factors, and that’s exactly why we strive to prevent it from becoming an issue for our patients.
When you come in for your appointments, we're regularly measuring your gum levels and any associated bone loss. The reason we want to stay on top of this is that bacteria can get underneath the gum tissue, causing inflammation, bleeding, and ultimately, bone loss. We don't want that bone loss to get out of control. Thankfully, when we stay on top of monitoring, we can mitigate further bone loss and tooth loss in the long run.
Think of it like this: just like your physician monitors your blood glucose levels to manage diabetes, we at Honor Dental monitor the progression (or incidence) of periodontal disease. We work with you to manage the disease proactively, because prevention is always better than a reactive cure.
There are actually quite a few different factors that can impact your gum tissue and the bone associated with it. The state of your gums and surrounding bone can ultimately impact how strong the tooth is in the socket, so it’s important that we keep it healthy. Some of the things we know have the most profound effect on gum health are conditions such as diabetes, smoking, and even some medications. More and more, researchers are also beginning to link osteoporosis to issues with bone density around the teeth, and we are starting to see how that may have an impact on periodontal disease.
The important thing to remember about all of these potential issues is that they are very patient-specific. At Honor Dental, we want to look at each of our patients as individuals and tailor our approach to fit your specific needs. We look at what your risk factors are, what’s actively going on, and then discuss how we can manage and improve the state of your health so we can help you maintain your teeth for the rest of your life!
Now, you might be wondering how to prevent periodontal disease. One of the biggest steps you can take is to come in for regular appointments at Honor Dental. Periodontal disease is very strongly linked to the bacteria that causes plaque, which turns into a hard deposit called calculus or tartar. This calculus will fix very strongly to the surface of your teeth, and then bacteria get trapped in there, causing inflammation, infection, and bone loss. So, staying on top of the removal of that plaque and calculus is extremely important to your health.
Of course, everyone is a little different; some people are at a higher risk of periodontal disease than others, so we need to consistently monitor the state of your gums. Each time you come in, we’re measuring your gum levels. Even if you are very particular about the removal of plaque, we know that our bodies change as we age. So, just like a physician monitors patients with diabetes, we monitor the risks associated with periodontal disease. We talk with you, as a patient, individually about what you can do at home and what we can do here at Honor Dental. Then, we create a plan for the future. The ultimate goal is to be as conservative as possible so that you don’t need any more extensive work than is absolutely necessary.
We want you to be in tune with your mouth, so here are some things you can watch for to indicate that you might be experiencing gum issues. First and foremost, bleeding isn’t normal. While many people experience some bleeding, it’s usually an indication of inflammation. So, if you’re brushing or flossing and you’re seeing blood, that’s an indication that there’s some sort of gingivitis or periodontal disease occurring. The other thing you may notice is a buildup on your teeth. You may notice hard deposits, especially on your lower teeth. This buildup can be a sign of tartar and also harbor bacteria. These are just two simple things that you can keep an eye on to understand your current state of oral health.
Preventative dentistry is truly the key to maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile for life. At Honor Dental, we are passionate about helping our patients be proactive about their oral health, and we do that by making sure that we are as conservative as possible. We encourage you to take these steps to protect your teeth and gums. Remember, we are here to partner with you on your journey to achieve optimal oral health. We are so glad to be a part of your care, and we can’t wait to see you at Honor Dental! If you have any questions, or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us today! We would love to be a part of your journey to a brighter smile!
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