Dental check-ups are more than just a cleaning.

Dentists recommend that you get a professional dental check-up and cleaning at least twice a year, or every six months. These check-ups are not just about giving your teeth a professional cleaning so they look dazzling and fresh for another few months. Biannual dental check-ups are about dental prevention, meaning the team at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo is looking for any issues with your teeth or mouth. We want to catch anything little before it becomes a big health issue later on. If you haven’t seen us recently, think about scheduling an appointment to see our Buffalo, MN team today for a check-up.

Regular Dental Check-ups Help With Early Prevention

Early prevention is the key to staying healthy, and the same can be said for your dental health. One of the reasons our dental team wants to see you so frequently is for prevention. When you get a biannual dental check-up, our dental team thoroughly evaluates your entire mouth, including your teeth and gums. The dentist will also recommend dental X-rays during the evaluations because they can show our team any issues that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Early detection of dental issues, like cavities and gum disease, can save you a lot of pain and money in the long run, because these dental issues can be treated right away.

Disease Prevention

Many people who suffer from an oral health disease, like gingivitis, find that they can often have prevented the disease if they had only gotten preventative dental care. By visiting Dental CAre Associates of Buffalo twice a year, our team can help you prevent oral diseases by offering up advice on how to better care for your teeth. We can recommend toothpastes or mouthwashes with fluoride, which can help strengthen the enamel of your teeth, or offer up advice on how to properly care for your teeth and gums. Remember, prevention is key to small problems becoming huge situations.

Proper Oral Hygiene Education

Just because you are another year older doesn’t mean you can’t learn anything new. One of the reasons to visit Dental Care Associates of Buffalo on a regular basis is to learn about proper oral health care and any new techniques that our team may recommend.

As a reminder, we recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Use a soft bristled toothbrush, and make sure the head of the toothbrush is the proper size. A toothbrush that is too big won’t be able to maneuver in your mouth and reach the teeth in the back. When brushing, use small circular motions and make sure you get all sides of each tooth.

Daily flossing is important because it ensures the space between your teeth gets clean. Bacteria and food particles can hide between teeth and below the gums, and a toothbrush may not be able to properly clean those areas.

To floss properly, break off a piece of dental floss about 18-inches long. Wrap the dental floss around your middle fingers, with the majority of the floss wrapped around one of your fingers. The finger that has the least amount of dental floss will be the finger that takes on the used dental floss. Most people find it easier to use their dominant hand to start with the majority of the dental floss because it can guide and control the floss easier as you go.

When you begin flossing, hold the dental floss tightly between your thumb and index finger, and guide the dental floss down between two teeth. Gently rub the dental floss up and down each side of the tooth, making sure to floss the tooth on the right and the tooth on the left. To help prevent gingivitis and gum disease, don’t forget to floss around your gumline. Curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape and repeat the gentle rubbing motion.

Once you have finished with both sides of the teeth, slide the dental floss out from between the teeth, wind the dental floss down to the finger receiving the used floss, then repeat the flossing process for each tooth in your mouth. It’s important that each tooth uses a fresh portion of dental floss to avoid spreading any bacteria that may be present in your mouth.

Checking for Non-Dental Health Issues

Believe it or not, your dentist can help spot signs of non-dental health issues. Some of those can include vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Your dentist will also check for conditions like oral cancer, which can appear as lumps or sores in your mouth. Early detection of this cancer is key to successful treatment. If you are suffering from oral reflux, your dentist might notice symptoms such as worn enamel from the acids and be able to refer you to a health practitioner for treatment.

Schedule Your Check-up Today

Take the initiative and schedule your biannual dental check-up today at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo. Our team will thoroughly evaluate your teeth and mouth and make sure things are up to par. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!