Oral hygiene and in-office preventive care go together to foster great dental health. If you and your family desire the brightest, healthiest smiles possible, then let dentists at Sikka Dental in San Jose, CA, help you achieve that important goal. Dr. Nidhi Sikka and Dr. Mona Chattha emphasize the oral health practices which keep teeth and gums clean and vibrant. Are your keeping a good oral hygiene routine?
It starts at home
Your mom told you to brush your teeth, and you and your family should follow that sage advice, too. The American Dental Association (ADA) says to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and soft brush. The ADA also recommends daily flossing to remove plaque and prevent tartar formation--both contributors to dental decay and today's leading cause of tooth loss--gum disease.
Mom also said to eat your fruits and veggies. Well, those are the basis of a mouth-healthy diet. Add dairy products, lean proteins, grains, and water (fluoridated or not), and you'll consume things which prevent oral health problems down the road. By the way, you didn't want your mother to catch you smoking, right? Quitting tobacco in all forms is a great preventive measure.
It continues at Sikka Dental
See your San Jose dentist every six months (or more frequently as advised) for routine professional cleanings and examinations. Your hygienist will scale your teeth, check your gums, take digital X-rays as needed and apply fluoride varnishes and plastic sealants if you need extra protection against tooth decay. Ultrasonic scalers make even deep cleanings easy, and your hygienist will look for signs of oral cancer--a potentially deadly malady which strikes about 48 million Americans annually (according to the Oral Cancer Foundation).
When your dentist arrives, she'll inspect several aspects of your oral health:
- Tooth decay
- Periodontal disease
- Dental alignment and bite
- Oral cancer (an eyes-on inspection of your soft oral tissues and examination with the sophisticated VELscope system)
- Jaw joint function
- The condition of existing fillings, crowns, veneers, and other restorations
- Signs of undue wear and tear such as bruxism, or tooth grinding
Also, your dentist will share a treatment plan with you, based on her findings and your concerns and goals for your health and smile appearance.
A final note
Preventive dental care also features this practical aspect: keeping a healthy smile saves you money. When your dentist catches problems early, they are less complex and less expensive to retreat. That means lower stress for you and a reduced impact on your wallet. Your smile is a valuable personal asset. Keep it strong and healthy for a lifetime. Your friends at Sikka Dental can help.
For your routine check-up...
Please contact Sikka Dental in San Jose, CA, at (408) 259-1280. We'll do all we can to help you and yours have great smiles.
