Preventive Dentistry with Dr.Rubinstein
It is one of our core beliefs that preventive dentistry plays a crucial role in our overall health. Any dental problem we can prevent means one less problem you’ll need to get fixed. Any dental disease we can slow down or mitigate means less time you spend in our chair. There are also hundreds of studies linking the inflammation of periodontal disease to heart disease, strokes and diabetes. So…. HOW exactly do you keep the mouth healthy?
At-home oral hygiene
Two important prevention techniques are, of course, brushing and flossing. Done twice a day, you will remove dental plaque, a film-like coating that can build up and produce dental tartar. An oral irrigator (Waterpik) is also a very useful addition to your routine. If you want to go from “good” oral hygiene to “ideal” oral hygiene, consider an irrigator.
Fluoride
Exposure to small amounts of Fluoride strengthens teeth and prevents tooth decay. Fluoride treatments are provided here in our office, and we also prescribe fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses for home use. Public water fluoridation –one of the 20th century’s great public health achievements – provides another way for everyone to benefit from fluoride.
Mouth guards
For some of our patients, a custom-made mouth guard designed by Dr. Rubinstein can be worn during sports activities to protect against broken teeth.
Different types of Mouth guards also are used to reduce the effects of teeth grinding (bruxism), which can wear down and shortenyour teeth and possibly contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
Avoid smoking and vaping
Smoking, chewing tobacco and using vaping products will negatively affect your oral health. They all lead to dry mouth, tooth decay and plaque buildup. Smoking or chewing tobacco causes periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss and even oral cancer.