preventive care Dentist Flemington, New Jersey Preventive Care From Your Dentist in Flemington, NJ

Dental preventive care is essential throughout life, no matter the age. Practicing good at-home oral hygiene and scheduling regular six-month checkups with your dentist in Flemington, NJ., can keep your smile bright and healthy for the future. 

Oral health plays a massive role in the beauty of your smile and overall well-being. Tooth decay and gum disease can be catastrophic on that perfect smile and eventually affect your quality of life. Although they are treatable when caught early, preventive care is always the better path to take. Stopping issues before they take hold is the golden key to dental care.

Keep reading for a few simple ways that you can prevent the build-up of plaque and cavities at home:

  • Brush your Teeth Twice a Day – Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from your teeth. Be sure to brush your tongue to remove any extra plaque-causing food particles and help keep your breath fresh!
  • Floss Once a Day – Floss and use mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen breath. Bacteria-causing plaque can linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing and mouthwash will help remove plaque and food particles from hard-to-reach areas.
  • Eat a Balanced Diet – Eat healthy and avoid sugary treats. Nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, and fruit will help keep your smile healthy. Follow this link to learn more.

Scheduling regular dental checkups is the easiest way to keep your life free of dental issues. Aside from keeping your smile beautiful, routine checkups are crucial for preventing serious oral health issues. Easily preventable issues like gum inflammation and abscesses can cause health problems in other areas of your body. These problems can lead to heart disease, infection, and loss of bone mass.

Catching problems early on can save unnecessary pain and is the easiest way to see issues while still treatable. Suppose it has been six months since your last visit to the dental office. In that case, it’s time to contact us to schedule your next appointment!

What Happens During My First Cleaning?

During your first clinical hygiene appointment our hygienists will give you an oral exam of your teeth and gums. You will receive a thorough teeth cleaning to remove hardened plaque and then a nice teeth polishing to make your teeth sparkle. 

Which Services are Considered Dental Preventive Care?

Dental preventive care is any action by a patient to prevent oral diseases and maintain a healthy smile. Read below for more information on which services are considered preventive dentistry:

Dental Exams and X-rays 

Dental exams evaluate your specific oral health. In each visit, Dr. DeLorenzo checks for signs of tooth decay, gum disease and does an oral cancer screening. His assistants use x-rays to check for abscesses and tumors that may be invisible during a visual exam.

Teeth Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings are recommended at your dentist’s practice at least twice a year. Intensive cleaning like scaling and root planing may be necessary to remove bacteria, shrink pockets, and promote healing if you suffer from gum disease.

Oral Health Education

Getting the correct dental advice to properly take care of your teeth is the first step to the best oral health. With preventive dentistry, you also will get tips, tricks, and advice on the best methods and products to maintain optimal oral health.

Fluoride

Fluoride treatments protect teeth from decay by rebuilding weakened tooth surfaces through remineralization. Fluoride is absorbed into teeth enamel and restores lost minerals that harden our teeth. Fluoride strengthens teeth to reduce the risk of future decay and prevents the need to fill a tooth. Click here to learn more.

Mouthguards

Mouthguards are ideal for protecting against any trauma. High-contact sports or extreme activities like off-road biking or full-contact football exposes you to falls and accidents. Take an extra step of protection and ask your dentist in Flemington, NJ., to fit you for mouthguards.

What’s my Next Step in Preventive Care?

Dr. DeLorenzo and the entire team at DeLorenzo Dentistry are happy to serve you. If you have any questions about family dental preventive care services or how you can better your oral health at home, please get in touch with us. We look forward to meeting you and helping you build the healthiest smile for years to come.

Brushing Instructions

Brushing: Step 1

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.

Brushing: Step 2

Brush gently in a circular motion.

Brushing: Step 3

Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.

Brushing: Step 4

Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.

Flossing Instructions

Flossing: Step 1

Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and the other finger takes it up as the floss is used.

Flossing: Step 2

Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.

Flossing: Step 3

Holding the floss tightly, gently saw it between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.

Flossing: Step 4

Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.