An ounce of prevention...
The American Dental Association recommends that you have a dental cleaning and exam a minimum of every six months. What they don't explain, however is why, and we're going to talk about it below.
Many people believe that because they brush and floss their teeth regularly, that they don't need to have dental cleanings. And others think that they can skip brushing and flossing and that having their dental cleaning will "fix everything." In fact, both assumptions are wrong.
As much as you brush and floss at home, you will get a buildup of plaque and hardened plaque (calculus) that you simply cannot remove with a toothbrush. Some people have light amounts of this type of buildup, and other people have extensive buildup. Regardless of the cause, only a professional cleaning can remove this type of debris on your teeth.
And if you don't brush and wait until your cleaning to care for your teeth, the chronic inflammation you will likely have can lead to serious problems.
If you don't have regular dental cleanings or if you don't take care of your teeth in between cleanings, you may wind up losing teeth. You won't lose teeth right away, but not caring for your teeth over a long period of time can lead to chronic inflammation and weakening of the gum tissues that hold the teeth in place. This condition is called periodontal disease (gum disease), and in many cases, it's preventable. However, if you have gum disease, we can often treat it with deep cleanings and other approaches if necessary.
Contact us today to schedule your cleaning - it's never too late to get a fresh start with your oral home care.
