Protect your oral health with preventative dentistry in Mississauga
Your body has incredible healing abilities, but unfortunately, your teeth can’t restore themselves once they are damaged. Preventative care ensures you can keep your natural teeth for as long as possible and saves you money and time on dental work. Dr. Kotecha and the team at Dentistry on 10 provide preventative dentistry services for patients in Mississauga so they can show off their smiles with pride for years to come.
Prevention starts at home
Proper hygiene is the foundation of preventative care, and Dr. Kotecha can provide education to every patient to help them understand the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Your mouth is the ideal climate for bacteria to find food and grow, and while you can’t prevent them from getting into your mouth, you can keep them at bay by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. Dr. Kotecha can work with you to improve your brushing and flossing technique and educate you on the best tools to use to prevent plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gums.
Additionally, your diet and eating habits make a big difference. The more sugary foods and drinks you have each day, the more food there is for bacteria to feed on. Reducing your sugar intake and spacing your meals and snacks throughout the day reduces your risk for decay and infection significantly. Unfortunately, some people have a higher risk for decay than others, and even people with good natural defenses need some help from a dentist.
The role of regular dental checkups
Healthy patients should visit the dentist at least twice a year, and people at a higher risk of infection may need more visits. These checkups allow our hygiene team to gently and thoroughly clean your teeth and clear out plaque, tartar, and other debris in your mouth. Our team may also recommend preventative treatments such as fluoride or dental sealants to strengthen your teeth and protect vulnerable areas from decay.
Dr. Kotecha will also use these visits to monitor your oral health for issues such as cavities, gum disease, or tooth and bite alignment issues that make it harder to clean your teeth. If she finds something during her exam, she will work with you to form a treatment plan that can restore your oral health as soon as possible. To learn more about how we can help, contact our office in Mississauga, ON, today at (905) 455-9262 to set up a visit.
Download printable instructions for brushing and flossing.
Brushing instructions
Brushing: Step 1
Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum.
Brushing: Step 2
Brush gently in a circular motion.
Brushing: Step 3
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Brushing: Step 4
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.
Flossing instructions
Flossing: Step 1
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and as the floss is used, the other finger takes it up.
Flossing: Step 2
Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
Flossing: Step 3
Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
Flossing: Step 4
Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.
