3 Types of Dental Care

Dental care is an important part of routine healthcare. Like much of healthcare, dental care offered by your family dentist is one of the most critical steps you can take in maintaining a healthy smile. Preventative measures include regular checkups from your dentist, as well as measures you take at home. Beyond regular checkups, find out what other services your dentist may offer.

Family Dentistry

Most dental care starts at family dentists. Common advice is to see a dentist every six months for regular cleanings and, possibly, x-rays of your mouth. This process isn’t painful and doesn’t take long. At these visits, you’ll find out if you have any cavities and other decay or damage.

In addition to these regular checkups, you should be taking other preventative measures at home. These measures include brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, flossing after meals, and routinely rinsing with mouthwash. Good oral health will prevent cavities and gum disease. It will also prevent you from spending more money on procedures like scaling and root planing. Talk to your dentist more about how you can prevent these conditions.

Cosmetic Dentistry

In addition to family dentistry, your local dentist may offer cosmetic dentistry services. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, over half of Americans aged 50 and up believe that a smile stays a person’s most attractive feature as they age. To maintain this nice smile for as long as possible, patients often turn to these five common cosmetic procedures:

• Composite Bonding
• Dental Veneers
• Implants
• Inlays and Onlays
• Teeth whitening

While this isn’t an inclusive list of cosmetic dentistry services, it’s a list of things you can ask your dentist about to get the conversation going around dental care. Ask your dentist for more information about cosmetic dentistry services.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly requested services in family dentistry, requested by almost 90% of Americans visiting the dentist. Yellow or dark teeth can occur from what you eat or drink, the medications you take, and the use of tobacco. The teeth whitening process can be done relatively easily at your dentist’s office. It doesn’t take long and shouldn’t cause any pain. And it’s possible to get an even whiter smile than you started with. It’s a good idea to first talk to your dentist before trying anything at home.

The most important takeaway should be that you need to talk to your dentist about oral care and a healthy smile. Family dentistry is the most important component of oral health. Your local dentist can give you more information on measures you can take to prevent gum disease, cosmetic dentistry services, and how you can brighten your smile with teeth whitening services. Talk to your dentist today to get started on a healthy smile.