The first lines of defense in protecting your teeth from decay and gum disease are preventative and general dentistry. Preventative care includes all the ways you regularly keep your teeth clean and healthy, from brushing your teeth to procedures like a teeth cleaning from your dentist. With diligent preventative care, your teeth can stay healthy and strong for many years to come. Here’s what you should know about preventative dental care to protect your teeth.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Practice Preventative Dentistry

Preventative dentistry is precisely what the name implies: dental care intended to prevent disease and decay before they cause more complicated problems that require a specialist to treat. At-home practices like brushing and flossing used in tandem with regular dental visits keep your mouth healthy far longer than without preventative care. Thinking about how your daily routine and even your diet affect your oral health can help you stay on top of your preventative dental care.

Dental Care You Can Do at Home 

Preventative care doesn’t start at the dentist’s office. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing are the basic ways to care for your teeth. Additionally, using a fluoride mouthwash rids your mouth of the bacteria that builds up and causes plaque, gum disease, and cavities. Reducing the amount of sugar and acid you eat can also reduce the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. Doing your part to care for your teeth and fight decay and disease is an excellent start, but you can’t do it alone—optimal oral health means also seeing a general dentistry practice.

Common General Dentistry Services 

Many of the procedures you see a regular dentist for are preventative as well as restorative. However, there are a few procedures that are specifically meant to prevent decay or further damage to your teeth. Regular cleanings, at least twice a year, can significantly reduce your likelihood of tooth decay. Routine x-rays once a year will help your dentist identify potential complications such as shifting teeth or deep cavities, enabling them to prevent further issues with corrective general dentistry procedures. 

For preventative general dentistry in East Honolulu, HI, turn to the professional dental team at Aina Haina Dental Group, Inc. Their team has provided expert restorative care since 1976, giving patients of all ages a smile they are proud to show. Dr. Keith W. Morikawa, DDS, was granted the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Best Dentist” award in 2009 and is available to answer any questions and quiet any anxieties about visiting the dentist. To take control of your oral health, call (808) 373-2184 or visit their website today.