Some people don’t realize the seriousness of a dental cleaning. They just think it’s something they have to have done every three to six months. The truth, however, is that dental cleanings and checkups are essential to your dental health and very important to your overall health.
Are you wondering why? Want to know what makes cleanings and exams in our office such serious business? Well, we’ve always been serious about your dental health, but more and more research is showing that the bacteria in your mouth have a marked effect on your overall health. Think your mouth is clean? Even a healthy mouth can be the home of upwards of 500 to 1,000 different types of bacteria, with 100 to 200 to 300 different types present at any one time! Research is showing that these bacteria are linked to all sorts of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, oral cancer, and low-weight births.
So along with your regular exercise and a healthy diet, having regular dental checkups can help you prevent some serious health problems. When you have your teeth cleaned, we remove many of the bacteria that have been growing and breeding in your mouth since our last checkup. Studies have shown that people who have gum disease are far more likely to have many of the health problems mentioned above.
Here’s what all we do at your regular dental checkup and cleaning – bet you didn’t know all this was included?
• Examining the gums
• Looking for signs of gum disease
• Checking for loose teeth
• Looking at the tissues inside of your mouth
• Examining your tongue
• Checking your bite
• Looking for visual evidence of tooth decay
• Checking for broken teeth
• Checking for damaged fillings
• Looking for changes in the gums covering teeth
• Evaluating any dental appliance you have
• Checking the contact between your teeth
• Taking any necessary X-rays
………as well as performing the obvious:
• Checking the cleanliness of your teeth and gums
• Removing any plaque and tartar and stains
• Polishing your teeth
• Flossing between your teeth
• Reviewing recommended brushing and flossing techniques
Don’t neglect your teeth or overall health. Be sure to schedule dental exams and cleanings as often as we’ve recommended for your specific needs.
