In order to maintain optimal oral health, you should be having your teeth professionally cleaned and seeing your dentist for a routine dental exam at least every six months. Sticking to this appointment schedule will help to eliminate any plaque or tartar accumulation before it has the opportunity to do major damage to your smile.
Some patients think that their home oral hygiene routine is sufficient to keep their teeth clean if they’re brushing twice a day and flossing daily. However, that is not the case. There are certain parts of your smile that are difficult for you to reach and clean thoroughly, especially toward the rear of your jaw. As a result, plaque can still build up and form hardened calculus in those spots, exposing your teeth and gums to harmful bacteria. Furthermore, once you develop tartar, it’s impossible for you to remove it on your own by brushing and flossing.
A professional dental hygienist will have a better angle to clean your whole mouth thoroughly and can use specific instruments to remove any tartar buildup. Therefore, these cleanings are an essential element of your oral hygiene efforts. If you see your dentist less often than twice a year, it gives bacteria more of an opportunity to attack your teeth and gums and cause cavities or periodontal disease.
These professional cleanings also give you an opportunity to ask your hygienist for home oral hygiene advice. By getting information about proper technique or oral health tools, you can do everything possible to protect your smile in between visits with your dentist.
Some patients choose to include a fluoride treatment in these appointments to give their smile an additional boost. Talk to your provider about this option to see whether it might be a good choice for you.
It’s important to schedule a dental exam and cleaning at least twice a year. Has it been more than six months since your last checkup and cleaning? If so, call us at Hulen Crossing Family Dental to reserve an appointment and get back on track for good oral health.
