A Dentist Visit Twice a Year Makes Dental Problems Disappear
Not everyone looks forward to going to the dentist, but that doesn’t mean that you should purposely avoid setting up an appointment no matter how nervous the idea of the dentist office makes you. Taking good care of your teeth is not only good for your mouth, it’s good for the rest of your body as well. While you should visit the dentist every six months, you might have to make an appointment every three months if you have gum disease, and who better to tell you whether or not you have gum disease than a dentist?
Tartar and Plaque
Tartar and plaque can start to build up on your teeth at a rather alarming rate, even if you brush and floss your teeth twice a day every day. It’s not unusual for dentists to see patients for a routine cleaning only to see tartar starting to build up on their teeth when they come in for a filling two weeks later. What happens whenever a dentist cleans your teeth is that they remove the skin of the tooth, known as pellicle, but plaque can start to stick to the pellicle when it starts to reform three days later. Something to keep in mind with gum disease is that it’s completely preventable, but once you have it you might not be able to completely get rid of it.
Preventative Care
When you aren’t at the dentist’s office, there are still several things that you can do to take good care of your teeth on your own. Besides brushing your teeth and flossing after every meal, there are also certain foods that are good for oral health. Keep your sugars and carbohydrates low for the sake of your teeth as well as for the sake of the rest of your physical health.
Whenever you brush your teeth, make sure that you do so with toothpaste that is fluoride toothpaste and has been approved by the American Dental Association. Don’t be lulled into thinking that all toothpaste is the same.
Have a Talk With Your Dentist
Once you meet with your dentist for cleanings and checkups, be sure to ask if they have any recommendations about which type of toothbrush and toothpaste you should be using for your teeth. You should also ask if you are at any risk for specific dental diseases and if there is anything that you can do to prevent those diseases. It’s also good to ask if they have any recommendations for how many times you should visit them just in case it’s more than twice a year.
Should you ever have any questions about preventative dental care or information about oral health, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at California Dental Group.
