Before we get into today’s blog, our team at Bayou Dental Group wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July. This year is the 240th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We hope everyone is able to spend some time with family and friends this holiday weekend.
We may not live in a perfect world, but we are proud to live in such a great country.
And that is a good reason for all of us to smile.
Protecting Your Smile
There is a quotation attributed to Benjamin Franklin following the Constitutional Convention. According to the history books, Franklin was asked what kind of government they had created.
He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
With all apologies to our founding fathers, everyone is in a similar position with regard to their smiles. Your smile can remain healthy and strong … if you can keep your teeth.
Our country has three branches of government, and there are three things all of us should be doing to maintain those smiles.
The team at our dentist office in Monroe, LA, wants to help you with preventive dentistry.
Executive Decisions
Keeping your mouth healthy starts with the decisions you make on your own.
The foods you choose to eat and your oral hygiene practices are the biggest factors that affect the health of your mouth.
Bacteria that live inside your mouth cause tooth decay and gum disease. These bacteria use the sugars in foods that we eat to create acids. Those acids allow the bacteria to eat into the enamel of your teeth. This is the tooth decay that causes cavities.
Bacteria are also responsible for gum disease, which is actually the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States.
In other words, if you want to preserve your smile, you need to do things that keep your whole mouth healthy.
Eating a balanced diet is good for your overall health, but it’s good for your oral health, too. If you spend your days eating sugary snacks, you are making it easier for bacteria to thrive in your mouth.
You won’t ever completely remove those bacteria. That’s why we encourage you to take steps to keep them under control. You already know what those steps are — brushing and flossing your teeth every day.
As a quick reminder, you should use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub your teeth on all sides for two minutes, twice each day. You also need to floss every day to clean the spaces between your teeth and under your gumline.
Legislative Actions
In recent years, our politicians don’t seem particularly interested in working together. Your smile, on the other hand, benefits when you let our team work on your behalf.
We have a simple compromise to make this happen. You need to make a few visits to our office each year for professional cleanings and examinations by our dentist or a dental hygienist.
During your visit, we will look for any problems. We will look for any changes in the alignment of your teeth. We will watch for signs of tooth decay, and we will look for symptoms of gum disease. If we see anything to be concerned about, we will let you know about it and what can be done to treat the problem before it gets worse.
You can also count on a complete cleaning to remove any tartar or plaque that may have built up on your teeth and gums. We will finish with a polish to get you teeth looking their best.
Judicial Oversight
Brushing and flossing lay a solid foundation for your oral health. Coming to the dentist for regular care should be part of your oral health routine, too.
But you can go a step further with additional preventive services. Two that we recommend are fluoride treatments and dental sealants.
Fluoride does a couple things that make it great for your teeth. This mineral can repair minor problems and strengthen your enamel when it is applied to your teeth.
Another way you can protect your teeth is by getting dental sealants. Your molars are the most vulnerable to tooth decay. When sealants are applied to those teeth, they form a barrier that bacteria have to get through before they can cause cavities.
The Pursuit Of Happiness
The Declaration of Independence reads that we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But what good is happiness if you are too embarrassed to smile?
Take the time to protect your teeth by visiting our Louisiana dental center in Monroe. If you haven’t scheduled your next cleaning, call 318-323-9303 or fill out our online form.