When you know you have a consistent brushing and flossing routine and you don’t have a personal history of oral health issues, it can be tempting to skip those six-month, or even annual, trips to the dentist for an exam and thorough cleaning.
But even the best at-home oral hygiene regimen can’t eliminate every bacteria particle that can cause plaque and tartar buildup and eventually cavities. You also may miss other signs of oral health issues such as gum disease or cancer.
Our team, led by Dr. Cliff Broschinsky at Avalon Dental in San Ramon, California, places high priority on regular dental cleanings and checkups. This month’s blog highlights some of the reasons these office visits pay off for your oral health in the long run.
All dental checkups include professional teeth cleaning. We use hand tools called scalers to manually remove the plaque and tartar from the surface of each tooth. Then we polish your teeth to remove any of the film that helps plaque stick to your teeth. Finally, we floss between your teeth to remove any debris or plaque.
Depending on your needs, we may offer preventive treatments, which include applying substances like dental sealants or fluoride to your teeth in order to protect your teeth and strengthen your enamel.
You may also need X-rays, which help us find signs of any dental health issues like cavities, gum disease, or lesions that may be cancerous.
Finally, we discuss any further care you may need, like deeper cleanings, cavity fillings, or treatment for tooth infections.
These are just a few of the reasons you should make regular dental care a priority:
If you get your teeth cleaned professionally on a regular basis, the odds of destructive plaque and bacteria damaging your teeth and gums go down significantly. As a result, you’re much less likely to deal with cavities, gum disease, or even tooth loss.
When food and bacteria build up on your teeth, they leave your teeth looking dull, and you may develop bad breath. Getting rid of the stains and plaque and getting preventive treatments can freshen your breath and your teeth’s appearance, leaving you with a brilliant and healthy smile.
Did you know that poor oral health can increase your risk for other health issues, such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia? Visiting us at Avalon Dental for regular teeth cleanings not only improves your oral health but your whole-body health as well.
If you haven’t had a dental checkup or cleaning in over a year, don’t delay scheduling your next one. Simply call our office or use our online scheduling feature to book one today.
