Saratoga Dental Tips
Follow these Saratoga dental tips for a healthier mouth. To prevent cavities and other dental problems, visit the dentist often, and maintain good oral hygiene!
Prevent Cavities & Visit The Dentist Regularly
Don't wait for dental problems to develop. Prevent them before they start! Visit the dentist on a regular basis to maintain a healthy mouth and identify potential problems before they occur.
Saratoga dentists will clean and carefully examine your teeth and gums at each checkup. Dental professionals are trained to spot warning sign for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other harmful diseases long before you would notice these signs on your own. This examination often consists of a simple, superficial evaluation using a mirror and probe, which is useful in spotting cracked fillings, loose teeth, plaque buildup and other problems.
A more detailed exam may also incorporate x-ray imaging, which helps detect problems such as tooth decay, abscesses or impacted wisdom teeth. X-ray imaging is very useful in helping dentists identify weak spots and small cavities in your teeth that are often too difficult to spot with the naked eye, particularly those located between the teeth. Your dentist can then make suggestions to help lower the risk of further damage and complications.
In general, visits to the dentist should be scheduled about once every six months regardless of your age. However, certain conditions and lifestyle changes can mean you need to visit the dentist more often. Pregnant women, tobacco users, alcohol users, those with periodontal and gum disease, patients with diabetes and those with poor oral hygiene should visit the dentist more than just twice a year.
Seek Valuable Expertise
Dietary and lifestyle changes or improved dental hygiene may be the key to thwarting off weak teeth, oral cancer and other problems. Some diseases (such as osteoporosis) and even some medications can cause tooth decay and contribute to gum disease. Your dentist will help you identify risks and offer suggestions to adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
In addition to spotting problems and offering advice, dentists can also give your teeth a better cleaning with their professional tools than most people can do with a simple toothbrush and floss. With skillful training and years of professional experience behind them, dentists are experts at scrubbing, scraping, picking, flossing, polishing and leaving your teeth sparkling clean. This thorough cleaning is very important for maintaining overall dental health because it helps prevent plaque buildup and bacteria growth along with stimulating your gums.
Maintaining regular checkups at the dentist office means that you will help to prevent potential problems before they develop along with keeping those that already exist in check. Saratoga Springs and surrounding counties of Saratoga, Warren and Washington, offer the local community a great selection of dentists and dental specialists to choose from.
Practice Good Dental Hygiene
In addition to visiting the dentist on a regular basis, follow these instructive guidelines for a healthier at-home dental regimen:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Choose a toothbrush small enough to fit comfortably in your mouth
- Avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes and aggressive brushing
- Brush for 2-3 minutes
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria or use a tongue scraper
- Change your toothbrush every 2-3 months
- Floss at least once daily
- Don't let sugary or acidic foods sit on your teeth (brush, rinse or chew gum)
New York State law requires that all dentists complete at least 2 years of college (most obtain a B.A.), 4 years of study at a dental school and a dental residency program or State-approved licensing examination from the Board of Regents. In addition, dentists are required to regularly attend continuing education courses to stay up to date on relevant material and dentistry breakthroughs. For more information on dentist credentials, visit the NYS Education Department Office of the Professions.