Regular dental checkups keep your mouth healthy. They provide you with a bright smile and fresh breath. But did you know that dental cleanings prevent serious diseases and improve dental health in many more ways?
At Hometown Family Dental Centers in Fayetteville, Vass, and Raeford, North Carolina, our skilled team knows everything there is to know about dental health. Regular cleanings with our expert dentists stop dental problems in their path, preventing painful and expensive issues with your teeth and mouth.
Regular dental cleanings are essential for a lifetime of oral health and happiness. This kind of preventive maintenance helps you avoid these common dental problems.
A cavity, when a hole or crack forms in your tooth’s enamel, is tooth decay. When tooth decay is left untreated, the cavity continues to grow and eventually causes pain. You may also notice tooth sensitivity or black or white stains on a tooth, and you might even see the hole in the affected tooth.
Regular professional dental cleanings remove plaque and hardened plaque known as tartar, preventing cavities. If you haven’t seen your dentist lately and a cavity is already present, Hometown Family Dental Centers can repair it and put in a dental filling to protect your dental health.
Gum disease occurs when there’s an accumulation of plaque on your teeth that’s built up and hardened. This bacteria-filled tartar can cause pain and inflammation of your gum tissue — known as gingivitis — and may even cause gums to bleed when you floss or brush.
Leaving gum disease untreated is harmful to your oral health because it eventually leads to periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection that’s settled into your gums; it can progress to your jawbone and can even cause an inflammatory response throughout your entire body.
Regular dental cleanings and good oral habits at home can prevent gum disease. If our dentists see evidence of gum disease when you come in for a cleaning, they can recommend a treatment plan to get your dental health back on track.
Aside from keeping a regular schedule of dental checkups and cleanings, preventive oral care is up to you. Here are the best ways to keep your mouth healthy between dental cleanings.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily. Use an ADA-accepted toothpaste that contains fluoride, and replace your toothbrush every three or four months. Choose a toothbrush that’s the proper size and shape for your mouth, and make sure it has soft bristles. Hard bristles can damage tooth enamel.
Foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar or stick to your teeth — such as sugary drinks like soda, cake and cookies, and potato chips — allow bacteria to build up. Your saliva is great at washing away bad bacteria to protect your teeth, but it can only do so much.
Avoid foods that can linger in your mouth. If you do enjoy a treat from time to time, brush as soon as possible after you eat it.
By staying hydrated, you help your mouth produce enough saliva to wash away harmful bacteria, keeping your teeth safe from plaque. Saliva helps break down acids in foods and drinks which can contribute to tooth decay. Sipping on water throughout the day is a smart way to help prevent cavities and other oral health issues.
Getting routine cleanings and checkups throughout the year is the best way to improve dental health and keep painful and costly problems from occurring. Are you ready to check up on your dental health? Contact the Hometown Family Dental Centers location closest to you.
