Recare Exams and Cleanings With Smart Family Dentistry
Regular exams and cleanings are key ingredients to maintaining your dental hygiene and should be practiced routinely.
What Are Regular Exams?
A routine visit to the dentist is a very important piece of the dental hygiene puzzle. A simple dental exam may lead to the discovery of plaque, tartar, receding gums, gum disease, and more. In order to maintain a healthy mouth and smile, a regular exam should be scheduled with your dentist every 6-12 months. Exams are performed to identify potential dental threats such as:
Plaque -Plaque is bacteria, amassed between teeth, on the surface of teeth, and underneath the gum line, that produces acidity. This acidity, when not removed, eats away at the protective enamel on the surface of teeth, leading to gum disease and tooth decay.
Calculus -Calculus, or tartar, is a plaque, above or below the gum line, that has hardened into place, increasing the possibility of gum disease or receding gums. Calculus is tough and hardened and therefore must be removed in a dental office using special tools.
Gum Disease -Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a bacterial concentration in the mouth that, if not treated, can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, or permanent loss of gum tissue.
What Are Regular Cleanings?
After a routine exam to determine if any potential issues exist, a full tooth cleaning should be scheduled with your dental hygienist. Focusing on the removal of plaque and tartar, regular cleanings will help keep your mouth free from the bacteria that cause tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease. Regular cleanings are incredibly important to maintaining oral hygiene and, depending on any potential threats, can be the difference between keeping and losing your teeth. Cleanings should be on a regular schedule to promote ongoing health in your mouth. A frequency of once every six months works out best for most individuals, but a customized schedule can certainly be arranged.