While our team at Carrville Family Dentistry is always happy to see you, we understand that visiting the dentist isn’t always everyone’s favorite activity, and the thought of getting oral surgery is never good. For this reason, our team has put together this article sharing some oral health tips that will help you avoid serious dental problems necessitating oral surgery in Richmond Hill.
When is Oral Surgery Needed?
Your dentist may suggest that you consider oral surgery near you for reasons including:
- Tooth extractions: to remove wisdom teeth or an infected tooth that cannot be saved
- Root canal: to save a damaged or infected tooth
- Bone grafting: to create a healthy jawbone for restorations such as dental implants
- Gum therapy: to treat gum recession and disease
While you cannot always avoid dental issues that require surgical treatment, you can do things to decrease the likelihood of needing oral surgery.
1. Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
When it comes to protecting your oral health, a preventative approach is always best. Prevention is the key to avoiding extensive dental treatments such as oral surgery, so it is vital to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing once a day is what our dentist near you recommends for keeping problems such as gum disease and tooth infections at bay.
2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Every person has bacteria residing in their mouths, but this bacteria only becomes an issue when given what it needs to multiply. Specifically, bacteria thrive on the sugars that coat your gums and teeth when you eat and drink, so keeping processed, sugary foods to a minimum is a good idea. Choosing to eat healthy foods such as lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables will keep the bacteria in your mouth at a healthy level and help prevent cavities and tooth decay. You should also avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco. Drink plenty of water, get proper rest, and do your best to keep your stress levels as low as possible.
3. Schedule Routine Dental Cleanings and Checkups
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home is essential, but it is not enough on its own to achieve optimal oral health. You should ensure that you visit our dentist in Richmond Hill at least once every six months for professional dental cleanings and checkups. Our team at Carrville Family Dentistry has the professional equipment and experience necessary to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and free of disease-causing bacteria.
4. Wear a Sports Mouthguard
As much as we wish accidents and injuries never occurred, they do, especially if you are a particularly athletic person. Sports mouthguards protect your teeth and soft tissues from injury when playing high-impact sports. If you are an avid sports player, look into getting one of these dental devices to protect your teeth from injury.
5. Seek Necessary Dental Treatment
Whether or not we like it, ignoring painful symptoms in our mouths will not make them disappear. The sooner you address a dental issue, the more likely it is that the treatment for the issue will be simple and brief. If you notice any discomfort in your mouth or with your teeth, the best thing to do is to schedule an appointment at Carrville Family Dentistry to get it addressed as soon as possible.