Keeping your teeth, mouth, and entire body healthy starts with preventative dental care. Maintaining your dental hygiene not only keeps your smile looking great, but it also prevents diseases and keeps your teeth strong and healthy.
According to systemic dental specialist Alireza Panahpour, DDS, the best way to keep your mouth and teeth healthy is to prevent dental problems before they arise. At The Systemic Dentist in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Panahpour aids patients in developing a healthy dental hygiene routine that includes good home care and regular preventative dental visits.
Understand more about preventative dental care and what you can do to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
What is preventative dental care?
Preventative dental care is dental care done to keep your mouth healthy and prevent you from developing dental issues. The major conditions preventative dental care aims to prevent are gum disease and tooth decay.
You can practice preventative dental care at any time, even if you’ve had previous dental problems or lost some of your teeth. With good dental hygiene and regular preventative care visits with Dr. Panahpour, you can prevent further problems and treat any dental issues that arise early before developing potentially serious complications.
The connection between preventative health care and your health
Developing tooth decay and gum disease can lead to significant health problems. Tooth decay can lead to tooth loss, which causes difficulties eating and chewing, bone density loss in the jaw, and challenges speaking.
Gum disease not only leads to tooth loss, but it also has the potential to lead to systemic health issues that impact your entire body. Just some of the health issues gum disease has been linked to are:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Complications during pregnancy and birth
- Alzheimer’s disease
These health problems can occur from gum disease when damaged bacteria in your gums moves into your bloodstream, which leads to potential complications that arise throughout the body. The takeaway here is, good mouth health keeps your whole body healthy.
How to practice good preventative dental care
Dr. Panahpour believes good oral hygiene starts at home. In addition to attending your recommended routine dental examinations and cleanings at The Systemic Dentist, Dr. Panahpour recommends:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing every day
- After brushing and flossing, using an antimicrobial mouthwash
- Limiting sugary foods and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Replacing your toothbrush regularly
At your routine dental examinations, Dr. Panahpour and his team can help you learn at-home teeth and gum care, including how to floss and brush your teeth properly. He can also help you find the best times and techniques for fitting your oral hygiene into your busy routine.
If you show signs of gum disease or tooth decay, Dr. Panahpour also offers treatments that help restore your oral health. Dr. Panahpour chooses the most minimally invasive treatments possible and works with you to help you develop an at-home care plan that prevents further issues.
For holistic preventative dental care that focuses on keeping your mouth and whole body healthy, make an appointment at The Systemic Dentist at (310) 986-6001.