Essential Care for Enjoying Good Oral Health

What does it take to enjoy good oral health and wellbeing? It takes at least two things: a commitment to brushing and flossing at home and visiting our Bourbonnais dental office at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Committing yourself to both will help you enjoy optimal oral health throughout your life.

Why Should Your Family See Us Twice a Year?

With regular checkups, our Bourbonnais team can help your family do a couple of things. First, with professional dental cleanings, we can help you control the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth. Bacteria and plaque are what cause common oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Keeping them away from your teeth and your gum line will help you prevent these problems from forming in the first place.

In addition to your dental cleaning, regular checkups also give Dr. Vallone a chance to look at your smile and recommend extra care. During your oral exam, he will look at your teeth's chewing surfaces for signs of decay and along the gum line for any sign of swelling or tenderness. As part of your exam, we'll also look for signs of teeth grinding, TMJ dysfunction, and even oral cancer. If we find anything during your appointment, we can start talking to you about a treatment plan.

Caring for Your Smile between Visits

To give your smile the protection it needs in between visits, we recommend following a good brushing and flossing routine at home. Specifically, we recommend that you brush at least twice a day, but if you can do it after every meal, that's even better. You should also floss at least once a day, preferably at night before you go to bed. And finally, we recommend using a fluoride or antibacterial mouthwash. A fluoride mouthwash will help you strengthen your smile's protective layer of enamel, while an antibacterial mouthwash will protect it from the bacteria that causes gum disease to form.

Do you have any questions about our services or about how you can take better care of your smile? Don't hesitate to give us a call. We can also schedule an appointment for your family. With two visits a year, Dr. Vallone can help you and your little ones enjoy good oral health year after year. We're proud to serve families from Bourbonnais, Bradley, Kankakee, Frankfort, Richton Park, Steger, and other nearby communities.