Preventive Methods

Teeth vary in size, shape and their location in the jaws. These differences enable teeth to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. With proper care and regular dental visits, it is possible for many children to reach adulthood without experiencing tooth decay. Good oral hygiene is a step toward a healthier life. The older you get, the more decisions you will get to make—some of these decisions will affect whether your smile is healthy and attractive. Brushing and flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks, and regular visits to your dentist will help you maintain a healthy smile.

American Dental Association preventive recommendations:

Preventing Tooth Decay

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
  
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
  
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
  
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
  
• Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.

Preventing Gum Disease

Regular chekups are important. During an examination, your gums are evaluated for periodontal disease. The dentist looks at many things, including the color and firmness of the gums. A very small instrument called a periodontal probe is used to gently measure the space between the teeth and gums. This determines whether periodontal pockets are present. The normal space between teeth and healthy gums should be three millimeter or less. The more advanced the gum disease, the greater the pocket size.
Except in unusual cases, you can help prevent gum disease by brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth with floss or an interdental cleaner once a day. Avoiding tobacco use and other healthy measures, such as eating a balanced diet are important in preventing periodontal disease.
Even if you brush and floss regularly, you may not remove all the plaque, especially around the gumline. Plaque can harden into a rough, porous deposit called tartar.  Once hardened, it can be removed only in a dental office during regular cleaning.

Warning Signs

At times you may not be aware that you have gum disease because often there is no pain.

Warning signs include:

• Gums that bleed during brushing
  
• Red, swollen or tender gums
  
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
  
• Persistent bad breath
  
• Pus between the teeth and gums
  
• Loose or seperating teeth
  
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
  
• A change in the fit of partial dentures