What Types Of Preventative Care Measures Does Your Dentist Office In Langley Recommend?

by

Sheamus Keely

Your dentist office in Langley uses preventative care treatments to keep your mouth healthy. When you visit him regularly, he can help keep tooth decay and other problems away. Traditional preventative dental care begins with the oral examination. However, the dentist does use other methods to care for your teeth and gums. Some of these methods begin with you – and at home. You can learn about them below.

What Type of Toothbrush Should You Use?

Your toothbrush is the first weapon you have against cavities. Cavities result from tooth decay, which is the leading cause of oral problems. It forms from a sticky film of bacteria (plaque) that covers the surfaces of teeth. Your brush helps prevent cavities by removing most of the plaque from your teeth. If used properly, you can avoid unnecessary tooth damage.

Manual Brush

There are different kinds of toothbrushes available for mouth care. The manual brush is the most common dental tool recommended by your dentist office in Langley. If you use a manual brush, choose one with a small tapered head with soft bristles. Also, make sure to choose a brush with an easy-to-grip handle. These features make it ideal for reaching the back areas of your mouth, where plaque hides the most. The handle prevents accidental slipping, which can damage the soft tissues of your mouth.

Electrical Brush

The electric toothbrush may provide a better cleaning than a manual brush. It uses rotating head or vibrating bristles to gently massage the gums. These features help maintain a healthy blood circulation throughout the mouth. Some products specialize in cleaning away plaque at the gumline. Along with the back of the mouth, the gumline is the toughest area to clean.

Electrical toothbrushes may also work better for you, especially if you have arthritis or some other health condition. These health problems can make using your hands or arms difficult. Electrical dental brushes do not require the repetitive hand movements that manual brushes need. Instead, they do the majority of work for you.

No matter what kind of brush you use, be sure to change it every three months or so. Bacteria can build up on the bristles or head. The bristles may also lose their ability to remove plaque properly. Many electrical toothbrushes come with removable heads that you change or replace when needed. The dentist office in Langley may even offer advice on choosing the correct toothbrush.

Teeth Cleanings

Teeth cleanings are the next steps to a better mouth. Regular mouth cleanings are called prophylaxis (or prophy). This preventative care recommendation generally happens one or two times year, preferably every six months. Prophy care removes plaque that lies around and below the gumline. It does not typically require cleaning above the gumline, which is very close to the roots of teeth.

In the

dentist office in Langley

, a dental hygienist does the cleaning. She only removes plaque on the teeth surfaces she can see. A prophylaxis cleaning requires placing a paste on your teeth, and using it to polish away plaque and minor stains. The service does not take long, but gives the hygienist a chance to examine the condition of your gums. If she finds signs of gum inflammation (gum disease) during the mouth cleaning, she alerts the dentist.

The dentist will do a debridement to treat signs of minor gum disease (gingivitis). A debridement removes a substance called tartar from all areas of the gum line, especially above it. When plaque hardens, it turns into a substance called tartar. Tartar is very destructive to the oral cavity. It causes advanced gum disease and tooth loss. Preventing these devastating dental problems is the most effective way to protect you.

Sheamus Keely is a freelance writer. He loves to golf and enjoys tasty meals at fine dining establishments.

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