Regular dental cleanings are an important part of preventative dental care and can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you have been seeing your dentist in Fort Myers, FL, you probably have no worries regarding your oral health. But this does not mean you shouldn’t see them at least twice a year. Between visits, your teeth can build up plaque and tartar, and getting rid of them is essential to avoid developing other oral health issues.
Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings
Ideally, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time and floss them at least once a day. This routine eliminates the majority of plaque buildup from the teeth and gums. But even if you have a great oral hygiene routine, you can still miss out on some areas of your mouth. In this case, plaque can harden and become tartar, which cannot be removed through regular brushing and flossing. During your dental cleaning, your dentist will scrap or scale tartar from your teeth. Tartar must be removed regularly since it contains acid-producing bacteria that can inflame and infect your gums. Also, the acids produced will weaken your tooth enamel.
Impact of Gum Disease on Your General Health
Periodontitis is associated with different severe health conditions. If you suffer from gum disease, you have an increased risk of developing severe health conditions. The bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream as your gums bleed. When this happens, they may cause more body inflammation, which is not good for your systemic health. Also, gum disease is associated with diabetes, heart issues, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Gum Disease Prevention
Professional dental cleaning reduces your risk of gum disease. Your dentist will check your gums carefully and take precise measurements during your visit. Thus, they record spaces in between your teeth and gums to identify changes during your next visit. When your gums are healthy, they have a gap of around 3mm, and a change in this gap can indicate the presence of gum disease.
As your dentist continually keeps track of your dental health, they can detect signs of gum disease and provide you with appropriate treatment. When dental health issues are detected early during dental cleanings, they can still be reserved. Aside from examining and cleaning your teeth, your dentist will give you tips on how to maintain your oral health and how often to see them.