The Importance of Preventive Care

Why deal with dental problems when you can simply prevent them? 

Who says that caring for our smiles has to be challenging? While most people will deal with decay at some point during their lifetime, doesn’t mean it has to happen. In fact, through preventive dental care you and our Elkhart, IN, family dentists Dr. Sangyoung Lee, Dr. Samantha Lee and Dr. Grant Greif can preserve and protect your smile from cavities, gum disease and injury through preventive care. 

Schedule Regular Dental Visits

We know how busy your schedule gets; however, don’t ever let it get so busy that you forget about your dental health. In fact, many dental conditions don’t cause pain, so you may not even know you have a problem until you visit your dentist. As a general rule of thumb, you should be visiting our Elkhart, IN, family dentists every six months for cleaning, exams and X-rays. If you’re at an increased risk for oral diseases due to smoking or other issues, then you may need to come in more regularly.  

Adopt a Dental Routine

Do you brush twice a day? Are you flossing daily? These are questions to ask yourself, as these are the most important and easiest ways to prevent dental problems. To really ramp up your oral cleaning routine, you can brush (or, at the very least, rinse) after every meal to prevent plaque and food particles from building up. 

Helpful health tip: Replace your toothbrush about every three to four months, or when you start to notice frayed bristles.  

Eat a Balanced Diet

It can be challenging to eat healthy all the time; however, besides boasting a healthy body you’ll also have a healthy smile to show for it. Limit sugars and carbohydrates, and load up on protein, fruits and veggies, and a little dairy (calcium helps stave off gum disease and jaw problems). Smoking and alcohol should also be avoided as they can cause stains, plaque buildup, gum disease and dry mouth. 

Know When to Wear a Mouth Guard

If you’re a teeth grinder or you participate in sports, a custom mouth guard will protect your teeth against enamel wear, fractures and chips. Since teeth grinding can lead to TMJ, which causes significant jaw pain, it’s important to wear your mouth guard while sleeping (and to be conscious of when you grind your teeth throughout the day). 

If it’s time for your next dental cleaning, our Elkhart, IN, family dentists Dr. Sangyoung Lee, Dr. Samantha Lee, and Dr. Grant Greif are here to make sure that you keep up with these six-month checkups. To schedule your next visit, call Elkhart Dental Center at (574) 522-0156.