Preventative Dental Care for Avoiding Tooth Loss

Preventative dental care such as visiting the dentist is a huge cause of anxiety and stress in many patients. The thought of being in the examination chair and hearing the tools and possible irritation of your teeth and gums can be quite upsetting.

However, going to the dentist regularly will eliminate those concerns as you become more accustomed to what happens during a checkup. Knowledge is power, which is especially true when knowing what to expect at the dentist's office.

No one wants to lose a tooth because of a lack of good oral hygiene. Seeing your dentist regularly will help prevent tooth loss and help establish an oral hygiene routine that helps you with any problem areas or concerns you have.

Gum disease

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Gum disease is an infection caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar in and around the tooth and gums. If left untreated, you will soon find yourself in the early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis.

Gingivitis symptoms are most often bleeding and swollen gums accompanied by overly sensitive teeth. Your dentist can detect gingivitis during preventative dental care and treat it with medicated mouthwash as well as other treatments.

In severe cases of gum disease, the gums will begin to pull away from the affected teeth and begin to feel loose or shift. This is when tooth loss occurs.

Avoiding tooth loss can be done if you visit your dentist twice a year, brush and floss your teeth daily and follow all your dentist's recommendations.

Oral hygiene routine

One of the best ways to ensure you avoid tooth loss during your lifetime is to establish a proper oral hygiene routine early on and be sure to follow it. The simple act of brushing your teeth will drastically reduce your risk of gum disease.

Always brush your teeth twice a day, more often if you are able, and most importantly after every meal. Try to keep a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste near you when you are not at home.

It is also a good idea to floss after every meal. If you cannot floss, try to keep sugar-free gum on hand and chew the gum after your on-the-go meals. Flossing is always the best way to keep food particles from settling in your hard-to-reach places, but gum chewing can also pull out the particles.