Fuller Dental is a general dentist office that serves patients in the Burlington, NC area. Our dental practice focuses on providing general dentistry services to patients of all ages. Regular checkups are ideal to ensure proper oral hygiene and disease prevention. Fuller Dental focuses on preventive care and early awareness of common dental problems.

You should visit us twice a year to maintain your dental health. In addition to preventive dental services, our dental team offers cosmetic dentistry treatments and restorative dentistry treatments.

Maintaining good oral hygiene between visits is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, but they also make it possible to eat and speak properly.

Good oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop.

Between regular dentist visits, we can take simple steps to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. These include:

• Brush twice a day thoroughly and floss daily
• Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals
• Use dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
• Rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse if advised to do so
• Make sure children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months

The following are indications of good oral hygiene:

• Your teeth are clean and free of debris
• Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
• Bad breath is not a constant problem

The Importance of Routine Dental Care

Taking care of your teeth is important for your overall health and smile. Regular dental care, including brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist, helps prevent many oral health problems and keeps your teeth and gums strong. It’s not just about keeping your smile looking good; it’s also about maintaining your overall health.

Prevents Cavities and Tooth Decay

One of the main reasons for regular dental care is to prevent cavities. Cavities happen when bacteria in your mouth break down food particles and sugars, creating acids that attack your teeth. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay, which can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily helps remove plaque and food particles that can lead to cavities. Regular visits to the dentist also ensure that any small cavities are spotted early before they become bigger problems.

Reduces the Risk of Gum Disease

Gum disease is another common oral health problem that can be prevented with regular dental care. Gum disease starts with gingivitis, which causes inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to more severe forms of gum disease, such as periodontitis, leading to tooth loss. Regular brushing and flossing help keep your gums healthy by removing plaque and bacteria from around your teeth. Seeing your dentist for cleanings and checkups can also help catch gum disease early, preventing it from becoming a serious problem.

Keeps Your Smile Looking Bright

Regular dental care helps keep your teeth white and bright. Over time, foods, drinks, and habits like smoking can stain your teeth. Regular brushing removes surface stains, while professional dental cleanings remove deeper stains and tartar buildup. If your teeth are stained, your dentist can also provide teeth whitening treatments to brighten your smile. A healthy, bright smile boosts your confidence and helps you feel better about yourself.

Prevents Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is often caused by poor oral hygiene. When food particles and bacteria build up in your mouth, they can cause a foul odor. Brushing your teeth, gums, and tongue regularly, along with flossing to remove food stuck between your teeth, can help prevent bad breath. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can also remove buildup that leads to unpleasant odors, helping you maintain fresh breath.

Saves Money in the Long Run

While regular dental care may seem like an extra expense, it can save you money in the long run. Preventive care, such as regular checkups and cleanings, helps catch problems early before they require expensive treatments like root canals, crowns, or tooth extractions. By taking care of your teeth and gums, you can avoid more costly dental procedures and keep your mouth healthy for years to come.

Boosts Overall Health

Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Poor oral hygiene can contribute to other health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Gum disease, in particular, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Regular dental visits can help ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy, which can help protect your overall well-being. Maintaining a healthy mouth is an important part of keeping the rest of your body healthy.

Improves Self-Confidence

When you take care of your teeth, you also care for your appearance. A healthy smile can boost your self-esteem and make you feel more confident in social and professional situations. People are often more willing to smile and interact with others when they are happy with how their teeth look. Regular dental care, including teeth whitening and treatments for crooked or chipped teeth, can give you the confidence to show off your smile.

Dental Cleaning

A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning from a dentist or dental hygienist. Most dental cleanings take approximately one hour. Using specialized dental tools and a gentle technique, the hygienist will thoroughly clean all surfaces of the teeth and gums.

Professional dental cleanings help to eliminate disease-causing bacteria.  Plaque left untreated can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. We will remove excess plaque and polish your teeth during your routine cleaning. Cleanings should be performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup.

Routine dental care also includes screening for oral cancer and periodontal disease. Discovering these diseases early is important because treatment can be conservative and most effective. If issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, or even oral cancer are left untreated, they can cause serious damage to your overall health.

Hygiene Care FAQs

Dental hygiene care is the best way to be proactive about oral health, eliminating problems before they start. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.

What’s the proper order for oral healthcare?

When caring for your teeth at home, you want to start with floss first. Flossing gets rid of any residual debris that’s stuck in between your teeth after your meals. Next, break out the mouthwash. When you brush your teeth, you’re spreading the ingredients of the toothpaste across your teeth. If you use mouthwash after this, you can wash away those ingredients. At the very least, be sure you’re doing all these things, even if it’s in a different order.

How long should I brush my teeth?

Each time you brush your teeth, you should brush for at least two minutes. At a minimum, brush your teeth twice a day. If you have trouble brushing for this long, set a timer on your phone to ensure you get to that two-minute mark. Some toothbrushes have built-in songs or timers to help you brush your teeth as long as you should.

What habits contribute to poor oral health?

Even if you brush and floss regularly, certain lifestyle habits can increase your chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease or damage to your teeth. Smoking and other oral tobacco use greatly impact your oral health — even oral cancer. Biting your nails or using your teeth to open packaging damages your teeth. Drinking coffee or tea regularly can stain or discolor your teeth.

Does poor oral health impact my overall health?

Not taking care of your mouth properly can impact your entire body. Poor oral health correlates with heart disease, strokes, and premature births. With gum disease, bacteria can enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. It doesn’t just impact your physical health, either. It can also have lasting impacts on psychological and social health.

Do I need to visit the dentist if I brush my teeth regularly?

Yes, both the in-office and at-home aspects of oral hygiene are important. Dental hygienists have special tools to clean and reach places your traditional toothbrush and dental floss can’t access. The exam portion of regular dental visits is important, too. We have diagnostic tools and training to see problems you may not notice at home.

Does mouthwash or an oral rinse benefit my oral health?

These come with benefits, but it is important to know they won’t replace brushing and flossing. They work as a supplement to these things. Some patients may need a specific mouthwash to assist with dry mouth. Rinses can also target cavities, bad breath, sensitivity, and gum health. We can help determine the best mouthwash to meet your needs.

Most patients experience little to no discomfort during their cleaning and enjoy a fresh, clean feeling after treatment. Call us at (336) 290-7401 or request an appointment online today.