Why It's Important
As a Louisville, CO dentist, our staff at Louisville Dental Associates wants every patient to enjoy the very best oral health possible. In recent years, a growing amount of research has found compelling links between an individual’s oral health and overall health. Studies have found that individuals suffering from poor oral health – which includes conditions like tooth decay and gum disease – have a significantly higher risk of developing serious long-term illnesses that include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even some forms of cancer. While researchers continue to further explore these connections, the state of your oral health matters more now than ever.
Dental Routine
To enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, patients need to practice quality at-home oral care that includes:
- Brushing at least twice a day. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for at least two minutes once in the morning and again at night. While brushing after every meal is preferred, thoroughly brushing at least twice a day is vital to protecting your oral health.
- Floss daily. While many oral health experts consider flossing as even more important than brushing when it comes to protecting a patient’s oral health, studies have found that only 40 percent of Americans floss daily. Flossing helps remove bacteria and lingering food particles from areas of your mouth a toothbrush cannot reach and ranks as a vital part of any oral hygiene routine. A Waterpik is also a great alternative to flossing and is recommended to our patients.
- Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. Our Louisville, CO dentist at Louisville Dental Associates recommends rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing to help remove any remaining bacteria from your mouth.
Dental Exams
While practicing these daily oral hygiene habits will help to dramatically improve your oral and overall health, enjoying a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums also means scheduling regular dental exams and x-rays with your Louisville, CO dentist.
Regular checkups and x-rays rank as a fundamental part of maintaining and protecting your oral health. Dental exams provide our Louisville dentists the opportunity to identify the signs of tooth decay and gum disease early on before either condition can cause serious damage to your long-term oral health. Early detection provides our dentists with the opportunity to treat these types of oral health conditions more effectively, so any damage to your oral health can be repaired and future problems prevented.
While our team of Louisville dentists recommends that patients visit our office every six months, patients suffering from certain types of oral health conditions may need to receive additional treatment. Patients suffering from gum disease or from an existing medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease may need to receive more frequent exams and cleanings. Expectant mothers may also require additional dental care due to their constantly shifting hormones to avoid pregnancy-related oral health problems.
