It’s a new year and it is a great time to schedule your bi-annual dental cleaning and checkup. Preventive care is of the utmost importance when it comes to your dental health. Brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing once a day, and using an anti-bacterial mouthwash are all ways to prevent harmful bacterial plaque from forming into tartar on your teeth. Once plaque forms it can only be removed by a dental hygienist during a professional dental cleaning, and no matter how diligent you are with your dental care tartar can still form. That is why now is a good time to schedule your dental checkup and cleaning.
Why Professional Cleanings are Important
Professional dental cleanings consist of a thorough cleaning of your teeth by removing invisible, sticky plaque, and built-up, hardened plaque called tartar or calculus. If tartar is not regularly removed it will infect your gingival tissue (gums) and cause gingivitis (the early stages of gum disease), and eventually periodontitis (severe gum disease). Gingivitis can be prevented with proper, regular hygiene at home, and regular dental cleanings. However, once it develops into periodontitis it can lead to tooth loss and the degeneration of your underlying jaw bone.
Dental Checkups
Dental checkups are equally important. During a checkup your dentist or dental hygienist will take x-rays to view the health of your teeth and jaw structure. She will also conduct a thorough visual examination of your teeth, tongue, and other oral tissues. Using light-emitting technology, she can identify weak areas in your enamel where cavities are likely to occur. She will also use an oral cancer detection tool to screen for oral cancer annually.