Dental Hygiene & Healthy Maintenance

Sarasota, Venice, and Bradenton, Florida

Regular dental hygiene visits and daily home dental care are critical to keeping a fresh bright smile, oral health, and also actually, your total overall health.

Did you know that many very serious diseases and conditions are correlated to the health of your teeth, gums and mouth?

It’s true! Diabetes and heart disease (which are now affecting more and more people…and more children than ever!) are among the list of diseases related to poor oral health!

In addition to helping you and your loved ones stay healthier, having regular and very thorough general dental check-ups and hygiene visits to maintain your healthy teeth, gums, jaw joint and overall mouth, can save you quite a bit of money.

As usual, Ben Franklin’s advice “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies here. And, even if you have some more extensive dental challenges that you are aware of, by starting now to get them looked at, more treatment options with lesser expense will be available to get you back to good health.

So don’t delay, thinking that dental health is optional. Call our Sarasota, Venice, and Bradenton general dentists today to schedule you and your family’s check-ups!

Your SMILE is your ultimate accessory! Smiles brighten EVERYONE’s face as well as EVERYONE’s day!!

Positive Benefits of Regular Dental Hygiene Visits and Exams:

Prevention – Getting regular dental check-ups with xrays and preventive dental care, such as dental sealants, white fillings and prophylaxis (“preventive”) or periodontal maintenance cleanings with regular periodontal pocket measurements and fluoride application, no matter what your age, can not only save your teeth but also save you money in the long run by helping you to maintain a healthy mouth.

And, now that numerous systemic (“throughout the body”) diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, have been shown to be correlated with poor oral/dental health, you could be, quite honestly, helping to prevent much more catastrophic illness in your life.

Oral Cancer Screening (similar to a regular skin check-up) – Any kind of cancer can have far reaching effects. A thorough look around mouth including around and under the tongue, the palate, and the vestibules of the cheeks and lips, for suspicious looking tissue(s) is a very important part of your dental exam. In the event that something suspicious is found, a gentle brush biopsy can be taken and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Catching and treating cancer early is always the best strategy.

Periodontal Health – Your gum health will always be evaluated during a hygiene appointment. Gum disease is best treated when it is caught early, so we check your periodontal health carefully. Read more about periodontal health.

Treatment of Periodontal (Gum) Disease – if you suffer from gum disease, The Smile Centre can help! We offer several treatment options and can help you maintain your oral health. Read more about periodontal disease treatment options.

Bite and Joint Health Check – The doctor will check you for symptoms of TMD/TMJ, which can cause jaw pain, headaches, cracking and chipping of teeth and gum disease. Read more about the importance of bite and joint health.

Children - Education in Proper Home Dental Care - Home care with a soft cloth or finger brush should begin as soon as teeth begin poking through the gum line or even before. Rinsing with water after all meals and snacks is also an important and healthy habit to establish very early on. Taking care of your child’s teeth does not have to be chore. If a child learns at an early age to take care of their teeth, it can become a good daily habit just like getting dressed and making their beds in the morning. You should check daily to make sure that your children are brushing and flossing thoroughly. Dental check-ups can begin around 4 years old unless you see anything unusual in the mouth or on the teeth. Then a visit to your dentist or pedodontist is in order right away. Catching dental problems early has huge advantages. NEVER wait until the pain kicks in. Not only will their smiles and confidence shine, but your pocket book will be much happier for it!

Learning How Diet and Lifestyle Affect Oral Health- What goes into the mouth also affects the mouth. Food, drink, and lifestyle all affect oral health either positively or negatively. We all know that foods, drinks and snacks high in sugar are bad for our teeth as well as our health, so brushing after every meal, or at a minimum, rinsing with water is imperative to helping to maintain good oral health. Exercise helps to keep blood circulating well carrying necessary nutrients and infection fighting cells to where they’re needed as well as helping to remove inflammation thus keeping tissues healthier and firmer. Good sleep habits are also conducive to better health habits as well as giving your body much needed rest and recovery time.

Learning How Medications (and Illicit Drugs) can Affect Oral Health- Did you know that some medications affect your oral health? If you have noticed that you feel:

More thirsty than normal
Your mouth or tongue feels dry and thick
Your taste buds seem dulled

You could be suffering from Xerostomia, or “dry mouth,” a common side effect of many physician-prescribed medications, and unfortunately, illegal drugs as well.

“Dry Mouth” causes numerous dental and health challenges:

Increased rates of plaque and tartar build-up
Dramatically increased rates of decay and infection and thus more rapid loss of teeth
Reduced health and hydration for oral tissues
Increased gingival (gum) inflammation
Difficulty sleeping due to tongue sticking to the roof of mouth

Staying well-hydrated is always recommended for good health, but it is imperative for people experiencing “dry mouth.” Keeping a bottle of water with you at all times and swishing and drinking regularly are advisable.

Additionally, Biotene® is a prescription oral rinse available to help ease the discomfort.