Did you know that enamel, the bright, shiny white layer on the outside of your teeth, wasn’t found in the mouth at first? Recent discoveries show that tooth enamel evolved first on scales covering the face of certain fish, then progressed into the mouth to provide their strength to help with chewing.
Why does it matter that, hundreds of millions of years ago, fish had teeth-like scales on their face (and sharks still, do, they’re called denticles)? It reminds us that our teeth are like our skin, and dental care should be treated with the same level of care and diligence that skin care is. And, just like skin care, it has components of daily care and regular instances of professional care, which should take place in a spa-like environment.
Considering Home Care for Your Teeth
If you are concerned about the health and beauty of your skin, you probably have a regular skin care routine that is relatively complex. There’s cleaning, exfoliation, moisturizing, makeup, and more. You should think of your teeth in the same way, though obviously there will be some differences (don’t exfoliate your teeth–enamel doesn’t grow back!).
Cleaning is a vital part of tooth care. It should involve brushing thoroughly twice a day, and flossing at least once a day. Just as with your skin, you don’t want to clean your teeth too much, though. That starts to get into the exfoliation territory because it can remove too much enamel and damage your teeth. To keep your teeth clean without overbrushing, consider adjusting your diet. Always end your meals with a cleaning food, like a carrot or an apple, which can help remove plaque and residues, then rinse with water. Minimize between-meal snacks and beverages, especially those that contain acid or sugar. Always rinse with water after a snack or drink.
Teeth whitening can be thought of as similar to makeup. Just like makeup you buy at the grocery store might not be as good for your skin, it’s best to get teeth whitening products from a dentist and have a dentist monitor your use to make sure you’re optimizing your results and health.Mineralization is the obvious counterpart to moisturization, and it’s something that most people neglect. Consider adding an appropriate rinse to your daily hygiene routine.
Spa Visits for Your Teeth
In addition to your daily care, dental care should also include regular visits for professional treatment. How frequent should these visits be? Like skin care, it depends on your individual situation. Most people will probably do fine with two visits a year, but there are many reasons why you might want to make your visits more frequent.
First, if you get tartar buildup faster than other people, more regular cleanings could help keep that unsightly buildup under control.
Second, if you have restorations that might require additional care, such as dental implants, which could be vulnerable to gum disease, more regular dental visits might be recommended.
Finally, if you are more susceptible to gum disease, you might want to make more regular visits–just like people who are prone to acne might want more regular facials.
A Dentist Who Gives Your Teeth a Spa Treatment
If you want your teeth to be treated properly, you need to find a dentist who treats your teeth with the same level of care and diligence you would expect for your skin. If you’re not made to feel as special, and, yes, as pampered, at the dentist as at your spa, then maybe you need to consider a new dentist.
And, here’s another thing, you should feel as relaxed at the dentist as you do at the spa. That’s why we offer NuCalm relaxation dentistry, which has the ability to help you feel calm during your appointment and truly refreshed when you leave–without the use of drugs.
To learn more about what makes our dental office like a spa for your teeth, please call (912) 234-8282 for an appointment with a Savannah cosmetic dentist at Beyond Exceptional Dentistry.
