The Best Practices for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Tips to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Healthy teeth and gums are a vital component of your overall health and wellness. Poor dental health and oral hygiene can lead to you developing cavities and gum disease, like gingivitis and periodontal disease. But poor oral health has also been linked to other medical conditions, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

That’s why it’s essential that you take steps to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape with proper hygiene habits and visiting your dentist regularly. With good dental care and treatment, your gums and teeth can remain healthy for your lifetime.

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires a lifelong commitment involving both you and your dentist:

What You Can Do to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

You can make substantial benefits in maintaining good oral health, by following several steps.

  • Brush and floss daily.
  • Limit or avoid your consumption of sugar-laden foods and beverages.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Replace your toothbrush as recommended by the manufacturer or your dentist.
  • Keep all dental appointments.
  • See your dentist at the first signs of dental issues, such as tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums or pain in a tooth or in your gums.

Keep in mind, that many of us focus on our teeth when performing our oral hygiene tasks, and sometimes our gums get neglected. But our gums play a vital role in our oral health. Not only do your gums help to protect your sensitive tooth roots, but they play a vital role in holding your teeth in place securely.

What Your Dentist Can Do to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

  • Exam your teeth and gums at least every six months.
  • Professionally clean your teeth and floss between your teeth at least every six months to remove tartar buildup.
  • Address and correct any dental issues, such as cavities, gingivitis, or cracked or broken teeth.
  • Apply fluoride treatments to help prevent cavities.
  • Prescribe antibiotics if you have signs of an abscess or infection.
  • Perform root canals to save a badly decayed tooth and provide you with pain relief.
  • Extra a tooth that cannot be saved.
  • Install dental implants to replace missing teeth.
  • Treat advanced gum disease issues, such as periodontal disease, with root planing and/or scaling below the gumline if indicated.

Remember, maintaining a healthy mouth requires a partnership between both you and your dentist. Both must do their parts to keep your teeth and gums in their healthiest conditions. Visiting your dentist regularly for a checkup is the optimal way` to catch a  dental problem before it gets worse. You can’t always prevent a cavity or other adverse dental issue, but when you and your dentist stay on top of your oral care,  your risk of having gum disease or tooth loss.

Schedule Your Next Dental Exam in Kailua-Kona

If you’re overdue for your dental exam and cleaning, give Dr. Carter Yokoyama a call for your appointment at (808) 322-0101 or complete our online form. We offer a full array of dentistry options and services from regular exams and cleanings to teeth whitening and smile makeovers.

We always strive to provide the highest quality of care possible because that is what I believe our patients deserve. We continually improve our techniques and service through continuing education and training. I keep up to date on the latest developments in dental materials, techniques and procedures in order to provide state of the art dentistry. Our greatest thrill in dentistry is to give a patient the beautiful smile that they have always dreamed of and help them maintain that healthy beautiful smile for a lifetime.

DR. CARTER YOKOYAMA

DDS