General dentistry is different to cosmetic dentistry, which is predominantly concerned with the appearance of teeth and includes such treatments as veneers, teeth whitening and Invisalign. If anything, this is a more important aspect of dentistry because it is concerned with the health and protection of your teeth and gums. Its importance is highlighted by the fact that it has been linked to heart disease and problems during pregnancy. It is therefore important that you know how to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and that you understand what general dentistry incorporates.
Maintaining good oral hygiene
In order to make sure that your teeth and gums remain in a healthy condition, you should do the following:
- Use suitable toothpaste: Only choose toothpastes that have been clinically proven to reduce the chances of getting dental disease. It is a good idea to ask your dentist about what type of toothpaste you should be using, as they may be able to specify a particular brand or strength of toothpaste that’s best for you.
- Don’t overuse your toothbrush: It’s important that you regularly change your toothbrush, or you may end up using one that is worn and less effective at removing plaque and keeping your teeth and gums in a healthy condition.
- Use dental floss and mouthwash: Dental floss and mouthwash can help you clean hard to reach areas in the mouth that a toothbrush cannot reach.
- Tongue cleaning: There are a lot of bacteria hanging onto your tongue, so it’s important that you take the time to clean this area.
- Don’t smoke: Smoking is not good for the health of your teeth and gums. You are best not bothering with it at all.
Regular dental visits
In addition to maintaining a good level of oral hygiene by cleaning your teeth, it is important that you visit your dentist for regular check-ups. This will give them a chance to check the condition of your teeth and identify any problems that may be hiding under the surface. Catching a problem early on can ultimately mean the difference between losing a tooth and maintaining a nice smile. Regularly visiting a dental hygienist is another good way of keeping your teeth and gums looking clean and healthy.
Healthy diet
The foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your teeth. The foods you should try to avoid include:
- Candy
- Dried and acidic fruit
- Sports drinks
- Sodas and fruit juices
- Starchy foods
Foods that can help to keep your teeth and gums in a healthy condition include:
- Water
- Dairy products
- Nuts
- Sugarless gum
- High-fibre foods
What general dentistry treatments are available?
If the health of your teeth and gums is compromised, there are a range of general dentistry treatments to help:
- White fillings: This is a safer alternative to amalgam fillings and involves the use of composite material for the restoration of teeth.
- Onlays and inlays: This treatment is used for repairing fractured teeth where damage is too great for a filling.
- Crowns: This is fitted above chipped or broken teeth to improve function and appearance and to protect against further damage.
- Bridges: This is a treatment for replacing missing teeth and will work to improve mouth function and aesthetics.
- Root canal: If the nerve and blood supply of a tooth becomes infected, root canal treatment can be used to remove the infection as a preferable alternative to tooth extraction.
As long as you follow the advice in this article about cleaning your teeth and eating the right foods, you should not require the use of such general dentistry treatments. But, if you do, ask your dentist for more information.
This guest article is written and provided by the team of dentists at Ollie & Darsh where you can learn more about general dentistry treatments.
Name: Suzy Gorman
Google+ authorship link: https://plus.google.com/114551825098964905620/posts?rel=author
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