WHAT MAKES GREAT PREVENTATIVE DENTAL CARE?

Dental care is essential to health. In the past 25 years, there has been a proven and significant connection between oral health and systemic (full body) health. According to U.S. health stats, three out of every four adults will develop a form of gum disease during their lifetime, often accelerated by stress, illness, poor oral health, the aging process, and other factors.

Relieving pain, restoring the dentition to its optimal health, and helping patients regain their beautiful and radiant smile is what dental care in McLean is all about. It is what dentists do.

Preventative dental care is a crucially important aspect of dental care in McLean. Dental cleaning and checkups assess the health of gums, and annual dental X-rays and intraoral pictures and help identify early onset decay, ill-fitting fillings, potential cracks, and potential mobility measuring help determine the health of the gum tissue and underlying bone.

As dental care in McLean professionals point out, there are some important basics about preventative dental care.

• Routine scheduling of dentist appointments for exams, repairs and teeth cleanings.
• Brush before bed. It is proven to get rid of the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.
• Brush properly. Take your time. Move the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. Unremoved plaque can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis (early gum disease).
• Use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is an important defense against tooth problems, because it fights germs that can lead to decay, as well as providing a protective barrier for the teeth. Dental care in McLean provides in-office fluoride treatments to increase the strength of tooth enamel, as well as take-home fluorides and calcium pastes for increased susceptibility to tooth decay.
• Brush your tongue. Plaque can build-up on the tongue, not only leading to bad breath but other oral health problems.
• Yes, flossing is important! Dental care in McLean professionals say flossing is as important as brushing.

Dental Care in McLean educates patients about how and why tooth decay and gum disease happens. Dental care in McLean professionals suggest that a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates is essential to oral and physical health. The bacteria that live in mouths consume sugars as their food source, metabolizing the sugar, and secreting acids, which cause tooth decay. A diet of reduced carbohydrates (sugars) will help with tartar control and potential decay. Beware! Carbonated drinks also have high acidity and often cause a breakdown of the enamel structure.