Do you take your car in for a regular maintenance check up? Most people do. In fact, most people spend more time and money looking after their car than they do looking after their own health, their teeth included. We have mentioned in the last couple of posts how dental care has changed. It is no longer a painful experience; in fact, teeth maintenance is now the number one reason for dental visits.

Looking after what you have got – in other words, taking your teeth in for a regular maintenance check up is not only a good idea, it should be your primary dental focus. Of course, unless you have dentures, you can’t drop your teeth off before work and pick them up on the way home – you have to stay with them (or at least, they stay with you).

A regular teeth maintenance schedule includes a visual inspection, sometimes x-rays, and a general descaling and cleaning. At home, your regular maintenance schedule should include regular brushing (at least twice a day) and flossing. Brushing should include the gums, not just the teeth.

If you stick to a regular teeth maintenance schedule, the long term benefits include keeping your teeth, reduced dental bills, and more enjoyable visits to your friendly dentist. All positives. A poor dental maintenance program could result in the loss of teeth, poor oral hygiene in general, pain, discolored teeth, expensive dental care – I could go on but I think you get the picture.

Talk to your dentist about a healthy teeth maintenance program – you certainly won’t regret it and you’ll always have a gleaming smile to show for it.

Tags: dental costs, dental hygiene