Protect Your Teeth and Gums – Preventative Dentistry in Oakville, ON

Dr. Shefali Tuli and her team at Burloak Centre Dentistry in Oakville, Ontario are available to tend to your family’s oral health needs. Once they have corrected any problems you may have and your smile is the best it’s ever been, they will continue to be available to you to assist in preventative care so that you can preserve and protect your oral health.

What is Preventative Dentistry?

The consistent practice of caring for your teeth and gums to keep them healthy is at the core of preventative dentistry. Healthy habits will ensure you encounter minimal oral health issues such as gum disease, cavities, and enamel wear.

Preventative dentistry takes many forms including regular brushing and dental cleanings. The ADA recommends regular visits to your dentist (the regularity of these visits is something your dentist will happily provide). Maintaining these healthy practices will help you maintain teeth that are strong, clean and white. Children should be made aware of and practice healthy preventative behavior from an early age.

Here are some of the practices that will serve you well:

• Daily Brushing – This is the most important component of preventative dentistry. It is recommended that you brush (at least) twice daily using an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste. Your toothbrush should be replaced three to four times a year or when the bristles show wear. Brushing your tongue will also remove bacteria from your mouth and assist in having fresh breath.
• Daily Flossing – Flossing will help you clean those hard to reach and tight spaces between your teeth. For those with braces, a floss threader may be necessary to reach between the metal brackets. You’ll want to ask your dentist for best flossing methods, but it’s generally accepted that a good technique is to rub the floss against your teeth in a motion that forms a forward/backward ‘C’ shape.
• Regular Dental Visits – You should set up an appointment with your dentist at least once a year so that they can examine, clean and check for any issues in/around your teeth and gums. Cleanings and exams give your dentist the opportunity to identify and correct any problems right away. For those that have a higher risk for dental problems, you will benefit from multiple visits a year
• Maintain a Healthy and Balanced Diet – Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods as both are harsh on your teeth and gums. Drink plenty of water and take a multi-vitamin if recommended. All of this will help you maintain a healthy smile.

Preventative dentistry will help prevent you from having to experience many different types of dental problems down the road. Proper dental care can help you avoid issues such as cavities, enamel loss, periodontitis, and gingivitis.

Everybody benefits from following these practices, especially children. Following these practices from an early age will allow for emerging adult teeth that are strong and healthy.

Non-Obvious Benefits of Preventative Dentistry

There are many benefits of preventative dentistry that people are not usually aware of. Proper dental hygiene protects you from some commonly talked about issues such as cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis from occurring. Fewer of us are aware of secondary issues that are linked to poor oral health. Some of these issues include:

• Respiratory Disease
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Heart Attacks
• Cancer

Preventative dentistry is especially important for women who are going through pregnancy. Both premature birth and low birth weight have been linked to improper oral practices and poor oral health. You should maintain routine checkups during pregnancy.

Do you like saving money? If so, following preventative practices can help you save it. Procedures that you may need to undergo to correct poor oral hygiene such as fillings, crowns, and root canals can often cost you a significant amount even when you have dental insurance. You may never be able to eliminate your need for dental procedures but following healthy habits will be very helpful in minimizing the need for them.

Please call (905) 581-4436 and schedule an appointment at your convenience with Dr. Tuli or one of her associates at Burloak Centre Dentistry for an evaluation and they will help put you on the right path to a long healthy relationship with your teeth and gums.