Dental Hygiene/Exams
Taking care of your teeth and gums is the best way to maintain good oral health and prevent dental problems. Oral care includes a combination of following a dental hygiene routine at home and visiting the dentist for an exam and professional cleaning.
Our team at Reed Family Dental is here to provide regular twice-yearly checkups for everyone in the community. We also guide your at-home hygiene. Our dentist and team members strive to help you feel comfortable and at home each time you come to us for your care.
What Does Dental Hygiene Include?
Dental hygiene is our lingo for taking care of your oral health, including caring for your teeth, gums and mouth overall. This term refers to brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis. The best care possible also includes an exam and cleaning visit at the dentist’s office every six months.
How Can I Best Care for My Dental Hygiene From Home?
The main way to care for your oral health is to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. These processes take away food particles and residues from everything you eat, plus they help get rid of bacteria that likes to build up in the mouth.
By removing these substances, you minimize the buildup of plaque and tartar, which can lead to dental problems like cavities. Also, fluoride toothpaste helps to give strength to your tooth enamel for extra protection. Our dentist, Dr. Allison Reed, or other members of our team, may recommend other care methods as well, such as using mouthwash.
Are There Other Hygiene Practices That Matter?
While a brushing and flossing routine is the main practice to follow, there are other actions you can take for your dental hygiene. It helps your oral health to cut down on sugar, eat a healthy diet and drink water regularly. Also, there may be steps specific to your situation, such as quitting tobacco and managing diabetes or another health problem that impacts oral health.
Why Are Professional Exams and Cleanings Important?
Brushing and flossing are important and help to prevent dental problems from starting or growing. Yet, they are not perfect. It can be tough for the toothbrush to fully clean everywhere, especially around the molars. If some buildup of tartar has begun, at-home tools won’t address it properly. Also, it’s common for patients to lapse in their routines.
Twice-yearly visits to the dentist’s office get you back on track. Professional cleanings fully remove any buildup that has started, preventing it from causing trouble. Our team will help you understand the current state of your oral health and encourage you to renew your at-home routine.
Also, these visits include exams by our dentist. Dr. Reed checks for signs of oral cancer and dental problems, and we use digital X-rays to get a much better view than you have in the mirror. Visiting for regular exams ensures any problems are found early and addressed right away.
Start Life-Long Care With Us
Our practice is happy to provide exam and cleaning visits to the whole family over the course of your lives. We get to know each patient and keep up with your dental history to provide the best care possible. Schedule your first visit with us to get started with regular cleanings and exams. Call our office at 740-622-5695 to make your appointment.