The Preventive Program

Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored, and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit, oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits.

Good Oral Hygiene To Protect Your Smile

Your smile is a beautiful asset, so it is essential to protect it. One of the best ways to protect your smile is through good oral hygiene. This begins with brushing your teeth twice a day. Brush your teeth in a circular motion with a soft-bristled toothbrush aimed at the gum. At Rider Family Dentistry, we recommend brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Second, floss your teeth twice a day. Floss in an up-and-down motion while keeping the floss in a U-shape and against the tooth surface. Flossing helps to remove bacteria from between your teeth. This is where bacteria hide and breaks down your gums and teeth.

brushing teeth Rider Family Dentistry Dentist in Cherokee, IA

Additional Ways to Protect Your Teeth

There are a number of health and dental reasons that patients should quit smoking. According to the Center for Disease Control, smoking can lead to periodontal disease, tooth decay, and head, neck, and oral cancers. 

To avoid dental decay, reduce or eliminate sticky, sugary foods. When the sugar from these foods gets stuck on your teeth, it attracts bacteria. The bacteria then form into plaque and tartar, which slowly eats away at your tooth, gums, and bones. While avoiding sugary, sticky foods, ensure you are eating a balanced diet. This will help improve your overall health and your dental health. 

Lastly, there are a few dental products that can help protect your smile. The first is fluoride. You can get fluoride in your toothpaste and some mouthwashes. This helps strengthen the outer layer of your tooth, the enamel. This layer helps protect your tooth from harmful bacteria. Another tooth is sealants. These can be placed in the dental office. Sealants are a liquid painted on the back molars of your teeth to help prevent food from getting stuck. The back molars of the teeth have many grooves, which causes stuck food to accumulate and attract bacteria. The sealant closes these crevices and provides a protective barrier against bacteria. 

 

Periodontal Exam

During your regular visits every six months at Rider Family Dentistry, Dr. Rider and her team will perform a periodontal exam. This is to ensure that you are not developing the beginning stages of periodontal disease called gingivitis. Gingivitis can be reversed. However, later stages of periodontal disease, such as periodontitis, cannot be reversed. This is why it is important to catch it early. 

 

Save Time and Money

Preventative dentistry can save you both time and money. With preventative dentistry, diseases and decay are diagnosed faster. The quicker you get the diagnosis, the quicker the restoration and the reduced risk of other potential problems. Additionally, preventive dentistry can also save you trips to the dental office. Overall, preventative dentistry is here to help you stay healthy and happy. 

Protecting your teeth from dental disease is our primary job. We are here to help you have a healthy smile. Remember to brush, floss, and use mouthwash twice per day. Additionally, quit smoking, avoid sticky, sugary foods, and eat a balanced diet. Dr. Rider can also help you improve your overall tooth health with dental sealants and fluoride treatment. To book your next dental appointment, call our office today. We look forward to hearing from you.