Dental Cleanings and Regular Check-Ups

Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings
Good Dental Hygiene
Tips to Improve Your Dental Hygiene
- Brush your teeth twice a day (in the morning and before bedtime).
- Brush properly. Check out this video from Mouth Healthy brought to you by the ADA on “How to Brush Your Teeth.”
- Floss your teeth twice a day. If unwaxed floss gets stuck between your teeth, use the waxed kind instead. Flossing is just as important as brushing.
- Skip the sugary and starchy snacks. They just build-up plaque on your teeth.
- Swish with mouthwash. (Ask Dr. Reece which mouthwash she would recommend, as there are some on the market that stain teeth.)
- Use fluoride toothpaste to protect the enamel on your teeth.
- Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to rid your mouth of bacteria.
- Use an oral irrigator for cleaning between your teeth.
Tartar and Plaque
Your Dental Check-Up
Medical History
Examination
Digital X-Rays
Oral Cancer Screening
Bite Assessment
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Dental Cleanings and Regular Check-Ups FAQs
In using a soft bristle toothbrush, you can gently brush over your gums to remove any plaque build-up. Don’t brush your gums roughly, as this will cause them to bleed and lead to receding gums and sensitive teeth.
Follow these tips to prevent tooth decay:
- Brush your teeth in the morning and evening, and floss your teeth daily.
- Avoid sugary and starchy snack foods.
- Visit the dentist twice a year for a dental cleaning and check-up.
It is important to have regular dental check-ups every 6 months so your dentist can see if there are any changes to your oral health. This way, if there are any issues, they will be detected early on and it will be easier to address them. Plus, sometimes it is your dentist who may pick up on other medical issues you may have. For example, there is a strong correlation between periodontal disease and diabetes. Diabetes is a systemic disease, meaning that it can affect all major systems in your body--even your teeth. If your oral exam shows the beginnings of periodontal disease, you may want to visit your primary care provider for further assessment and diagnosis.
Aside from visiting your dentist twice a year for regular check-ups, you may need to visit your dentist more often if
- Your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold.
- Your gums are puffy and/or they bleed when you brush or floss.
- You have fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, etc.
- You don’t like the way your smile or teeth look.
- You have persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
- You are pregnant.
- You have pain or swelling in your mouth, face, or neck.
- You have difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- You have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay.
- You have a medical condition, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, or are HIV positive.
- Your mouth is often dry.
- You smoke or use other tobacco products.
- You are undergoing medical treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone replacement therapy.
- Your jaw sometimes pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing, or when you first wake up; you have an uneven bite.
- You have a spot or sore that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth and it isn’t going away.
If you haven’t been to the dentist for a long time, don’t worry about it. We want you to feel at ease when you come here to our practice for dental care. We are not here to judge you or admonish you. We are here to help you. Initially, we will take digital x-rays of your teeth to assess the condition of your teeth and gums. From there we will develop a treatment plan that will move you on your way to restored oral health. If we determine that you will need a lot of dental work, we can develop a treatment plan that can be spread out over several months. If you are worried about costs, don’t let that keep you from getting the care you need. Come talk to us.