A Happy New Year Starts with Healthy Teeth. Your Dentist Can Help

Healthy teeth and gums are essential for having a happy and successful new year. Your dentist can help by performing a complete oral examination, removing built-up plaque and tartar, and helping your teeth to resist cavities by applying sealants and fluoride gels. There is no better way to go through 2019 with a smile on your face.

Why Biannual Dental Exams are the Foundation for Good Dental Health

All of us know that brushing and flossing are essential for keeping cavities at bay. But by themselves these practices are never enough. Here’s why:

• Even diligent brushing and flossing can never remove all of the plaque and tartar on your teeth. The only way to obtain satisfactory long-term results is to see your dentist for professional cleaning. Otherwise you’re only forestalling inevitable tooth loss.
• Some oral health conditions have a habit of sneaking up on us when we least expect it. This is true not only of cavities but of even more serious conditions such as mouth or throat cancer. It takes a dentist to spot the warning signs of these illnesses.
• Tooth decay will only get worse over time unless it’s treated. The time to get cavities filled is now, before the bacteria that started the problem spreads, causing the tooth to be lost forever.

Cleanings, fillings, and exams are the most basic forms of care your dentist provides. But the benefits of seeing him or her don’t end there. Modern dentistry offers added ways to protect your teeth and gums, such as sealants and prescription fluoride gels.

Tooth Sealant: Raising a Protective Wall against Cavities

One reason why brushing and flossing can only do so much is because each tooth has nooks and crevices, hiding spots where bacteria can hide and multiply.

One way to control this problem is with a dental sealant. This is a protective coating that your dentist applies directly to your teeth. It stands up to daily brushing while forming a long-term barrier against tooth decay.

Fluoride Gels: Not Just for Kids

Many people think that concentrated fluoride therapy is only for younger people. In reality, many adults can benefit from these treatments as well. They give your teeth extended protection from damage; yet the treatment itself only takes minutes. Ask your dentist about this option during your upcoming appointment.

Other Ways Your Dentist Can Help

Here are some other ways the staff at your dentist’s office can help you to enjoy healthier teeth and gums:

• By suggesting self-care tips. Dental medicine is always advancing, not only in terms of tools but techniques as well. Your dentists can recommend ways for you to take better care of your teeth between visits. But the only way to benefit from this knowledge is to keep your appointments.
• By updating your records. This is important not only for insurance purposes but to maintain an accurate and up-to-date profile of your oral health. That’s the kind of information that can prove crucial in a dental emergency.

All of us find ourselves busy once the new year gets rolling. So don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Call your dentist office right away to schedule your 2019 appointments. Your teeth will thank you.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Stec has been practicing dentistry in our area since 1983. Dr. Stec earned his DDS degree from the University of Nebraska Medical College of Dentistry in Lincoln. He also completed specialized training at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. You can reach his office online or by calling (308) 382-4440.