Proper oral and dental hygiene is vital for strong and healthy teeth, keeping tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. You’ve probably heard that regular dental checkups and cleanings are important for your dental hygiene, but is there substance beyond the hype? Today, we’ll discuss why regular dental cleanings and preventive dentistry are important for your dental and overall health.
Tooth decay, or cavities, occurs when bacteria produce acid that corrodes the hard outer layer of your teeth, forming holes and tiny openings. Eating sugary and starchy foods and improper dental hygiene puts you at risk of tooth decay, which leads to severe toothache, mouth infections, tooth discoloration, and tooth loss.
A dental checkup allows the dentist to check for any signs of tooth decay and remove the cavity-causing bacteria before the decay gets out of hand. The dentist also strengthens weakened enamel to improve its resistance to corroding acid.
The gums hold our teeth in place, providing a firm foundation and creating a barrier to prevent harmful mouth bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Bacteria in the mouth can infect open wounds in your gums and lead to periodontal or gum disease. This infection leads to red, swollen gums, bleeding, and bad breath.
The dentist will check for any signs of gum disease during the dental checkup by measuring the depth of pockets between your teeth and gums. What follows is a dental X-ray that checks the extent of the gum disease infection and appropriate treatment.
Early gum disease diagnosis goes a long way toward preventing tooth weakening and tooth loss. Gum disease can also trigger inflammation of the heart’s vessels and could lead to endocarditis, heart attacks, and strokes.
3 out of 5 people in the US are unhappy with the look of their smiles, mostly because of discolored or damaged teeth. The build-up of plaque and pigmented drinks are the leading cause of tooth discoloration. Dental cleaning gets rid of the plaque and bacteria in your teeth, so you can have a bright white smile. This is great for your self-confidence and significantly improves your quality of life.
Dental treatments like root canals or orthodontic surgeries are expensive and can catch you off guard. Regular dental checkups give you the peace of mind that you have strong, healthy teeth. This means you won't have surprise dental expenses that put a hole in your budget. Instead, the dentist will inform you of any forthcoming treatments so you can make proper financial arrangements before the treatment.
Regular dental cleanings and check-ups could be the difference between strong, healthy teeth and stained, damaged, and missing teeth. Ensure you visit your Saratoga Springs and Gloversville dentist every 3 to 6 months to keep your teeth tip-top shaped.
Contact Harrison Family Dentists for professional and expedient dental cleaning and checkups. Your dental health is our priority.
