Seeing a dentist on a regular basis for teeth cleanings is one part of having good dental hygiene. During a teeth cleaning appointment, our East Grand Rapids, MI, dentist will remove any plaque and tartar buildup, which discolor your teeth. This is why you may notice your teeth look whiter after a cleaning.
Most people only need professional teeth cleanings once every 6 months. However, if you have a chronic condition that affects your oral health or you’re pregnant, you may need more frequent visits. This way your dentist can closely monitor your oral health as this may indicate another health condition.
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Your appointment is also a good opportunity to examine any dental restorations, such as fillings, dentures, or dental implants. If a dental restoration shows any signs of wear and tear, we may recommend replacing it before it compromises the tooth. For example, a dental filling may last about 5 to 7 years depending on your diet and oral hygiene.
Practicing Good Oral Hygiene
Did you know that dental plaque is the main cause of many oral health issues? Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that uses the sugar in your mouth to create an acid. This acid attacks your teeth and gums over time. Your best defense is practicing good dental hygiene at home. Here’s how to maintain a healthy smile between appointments.
Brush Your Teeth
We recommend that you twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. That way, you’ll be able to remove plaque before it has a chance to harden into tartar. While you can remove plaque at home, only a dental professional will be able to remove tartar.
Always brush your teeth before going to bed. Otherwise, you’ll be bathing your teeth in sugar while you sleep. This increases your risk of cavities, gum disease, sensitive teeth, bad breath, and many other oral health issues.
Don’t Forget to Floss
Floss your teeth once a day to remove any plaque or food particles caught between teeth that your toothbrush missed. That way, you’ll be able to avoid any cavities that form between teeth and along the gum line. Flossing before you brush is especially good so your toothpaste can reach areas that were previously clogged with plaque.
An Extra Dose of Fluoride
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel so it’s more resistant to acid attacks from plaque. If we notice a lot of plaque buildup during your next appointment, we may recommend adding a fluoride mouth rinse to your oral care routine.
Oral Health Affects Overall Health
The often points to other health problems in your body. For example, diabetics are more likely to develop gum disease than people without diabetes due to problems regulating their blood sugar.
Conditions like pneumonia and endocarditis (infection of the heart’s valves/chambers inner lining) happen when bacteria from a different part of your body make their way to areas of your heart and lungs where they shouldn’t be.
The good news is your body uses saliva as a natural defense. However, some medicines like painkillers, decongestants, and antihistamines can reduce saliva production. There are other factors that can reduce saliva production which is why it’s important to have other ways of maintaining your oral health.
As aforementioned, one of the best steps you can take towards better oral health is brushing twice a day, flossing daily, using a fluoride mouthwash, and limiting your intake of acidic, sugary foods and drinks.
Schedule an Appointment
Our dentist in East Grand Rapids, MI, is accepting new patients. If you are in need of a teeth cleaning or other dental service, you can call us at (616) 458-2048 to schedule an appointment with Richard Elias III, DDS.
