Do you like having teeth?
Would you like to keep them?
All of them?
We sincerely hope that you said yes to all three of those questions. That’s also why we hope you are participating in preventive dentistry.
Why do we say participating? Well, prevention is a team effort. It starts with the things you do at home as part of your oral hygiene, and it ends with the routine care you receive as part of regular visits to Beaumont Family Dentistry.
We have three dentist offices in Lexington, but we serve families from Georgetown, Richmond, and all over Central Kentucky.
Why You Need Your Teeth
You have four types of teeth inside your mouth. Each of them is important because they help you eat. If you can’t eat — or if you can only eat certain foods — then you may not be receiving the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Your mouth is where you start digesting your food, and your teeth are an essential part of that process.
To help you understand, here is a short description of your different teeth.
- Incisors are the teeth in the front of your mouth. These are the first teeth to erupt from your gums when you are a child. These also are the teeth you use to bite into your food.
- Canines are the teeth on the sides of your incisors. These would be your fangs if you were a vampire. You will notice that the canines are pointier than your incisors. This is because your canines are used to tear into food and to rip it apart.
- Premolars start to come in when you are about 10 years old. The premolars are located further back in your mouth, on the outside of your canines. These teeth help with chewing and grinding your food.
These teeth are also called bicuspids because they have two points.
- Molars are the teeth at the back of your mouth. These are your flatter and wider teeth. Their job is to do most of the grinding of your food.
Your wisdom teeth are sometimes referred to as your third molars. Many people do not have enough room in their mouths to allow their wisdom teeth correctly. As a result, a lot of people have these teeth removed so they don’t cause crowding problems.
Why Your Teeth Need You
As you can see, your different teeth have important roles to play. That’s why you should make an effort to keep them healthy for as long as possible.
You can do this by remembering to brush your teeth twice a day every day. You should brush for two minutes each time you brush, and you should scrub your teeth from also sides. Remember to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
It’s also important to floss between your teeth and between your teeth and gums once per day. If you can’t or won’t use dental floss, ask us about other interdental devices that can help you clean those harder to reach places.
Brushing and flossing are both needed to remove bacteria and plaque buildup from your mouth. Plaque can turn into tartar, and it can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Both of those conditions can lead to pain, tooth sensitivity, and lost teeth if left untreated.
Why You And Your Teeth Need The Dentist
What you do at home is great, but it takes a little more to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
When you come to Beaumont Family Dentistry, a hygienist will give your teeth a professional cleaning. The hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar that you may have missed.
During your visit, we will examine your teeth for signs of gum disease so you can take steps to reverse it before it develops into a serious problem.
We will take X-rays to watch for any changes in the alignment of your teeth, too. This can help you prepare in case orthodontic care is needed.
It Takes A Team Effort
For you to be your best, you need to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to practice good oral hygiene at home and take time to visit Beaumont Family Dentistry for routine care.
We would be happy to answer any questions about what you should be doing at home to keep your teeth intact.
To make any appointment for preventive dental care, contact any of our offices in Lexington or schedule a visit online by clicking on the link under “Contact Us” for the office closest to you.
We hope to see you and your teeth for years to come.