Why This Should Be the Year You Resolve to Keep Your Regular Dental Exams and Cleaning

Your teeth’s health impacts your everyday life in ways you don’t always realize. Your smile makes the first impression and says a lot about your confidence. 

Chewing makes meals enjoyable and nutritious. Plus, you're able to get a wide array of nutrients from crunchy foods like fresh vegetables and nuts. A healthy bite also impacts your ability to speak clearly and without impairments. Finally, well-kept teeth keep you free from mouth pain, bad breath, and infection.

At-home hygiene and regular dental exams go a long way in preserving your smile into old age. The team at Sokoly Dental in Washington, DC are here to help you learn healthy at-home hygiene habits. We'll also take care of your regular dental exams and professional cleanings. Read on to learn more about preventive dental care.

Best tooth care

These five steps help ensure you have a stunning smile for a lifetime:

1. Brush at least twice daily 
2. Floss once daily
3. Rinse with a recommended mouthwash
4. Eat right
5. Visit Sokoly dentist for cleanings and check-ups

These simple steps greatly reduce your risk of any health problems associated with your teeth. This includes tooth decay and gum disease. If you do develop a problem with your teeth, Dr. Sokoly can catch it early and prevent it from escalating into infection, pain, and tooth loss.

The benefits of dental exams

Regular professional cleanings by our team provide the extra protection needed to keep teeth healthy. While at-home brushing, flossing, and rinsing go a long way in removing plaque, there are hard to reach areas and stubborn spots that benefit from a professional’s touch. 

Twice yearly professional cleanings are recommended, but if you have gum disease or other tooth issues, you may need more frequent visits.

Regular dental exams with Dr. Sokoly are a critical part of preventive health care. He checks your teeth thoroughly for cavities and gum disease. Through regular X-rays, he can see if you have underlying problems in the roots of your teeth that aren’t visible in a traditional exam. He also looks for any abnormalities in your face, neck, and mouth.

These visits may include tips on how to brush and floss more effectively, as well as lifestyle habits that promote good oral health.

Regular dental exams can also identify some systemic diseases, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. These develop symptoms in your mouth first before they start to impact the rest of your body. We can refer you to a proper physician should we suspect a systemic condition.

A dental exam is also time to review any issues you may have, such as dissatisfaction with the coloring or alignment of your teeth. We can fill you in on our teeth-whitening options, veneers for a uniform-looking smile, and Invisalign® to correct misalignments. 

Tooth cleaning basics

Aim for at least twice per day brushing – once in the morning and once before bed. Alternatively, brush your teeth 30-60 minutes after every meal.

A pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste is all you need. Make sure you're moving the brush lightly, in a small circular motion, across one tooth at a time. The tips of the brush bristles should tickle the gumline and penetrate into the spaces between your teeth.

Be thorough, hitting the fronts and backs of teeth, including those that are in the upper and lower back areas of your mouth. Lightly brush your tongue too, moving from the back to the front.  The entire brushing process should take about two minutes total. Set a timer to see if your regular routine is up to par.

Do replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

At Sokoly Dental, we emphasize the importance of preventive dental care. Don’t skip your twice-yearly visits.

If you have questions about your teeth’s health or show symptoms of decay or gum disease, come in right away and we can help correct the discomfort and minimize complications. Call the office or schedule online today!