We recommend a dental cleaning for everyone ages two and older twice a year, and if you have high risks of gum disease, then we may recommend a perio cleaning. These treatments can help your smile stay healthy and whole. In today’s blog, your Celina, TX, dentist talks about the importance of cleanings.
The Impact of Plaque and Tartar
Over time, harmful bacteria will consume the particles left behind by our foods and drinks, especially sugar and starch. As bacteria break down these particles and consume them, this not only elevates oral acidity, but coats the teeth in harmful plaque buildup, which hardens into tartar with time. The buildup can weaken enamel to cause cavities and infections, and can inflame gum tissues to cause gingivitis and gum disease. The buildup is also linked to be breath and stained teeth too. Which is why removing the buildup regularly is so important for your overall oral health, whether you’re a kid or an adult.
The Risk of Periodontal Disease
The buildup can inflame and irritate the tissues to lead to gum disease, a serious issue that impacts half of smiles in people ages 30 and older. The disease will grow in severity with time, instantly causing sore, red gums that bleed easily. Eventually, this could lead to gum recession, making teeth appear long and uneven. Once the periodontitis stage begins, you risk the loss of your teeth. But with a dental cleaning every few months, we can remove the buildup thoroughly. If you have gum disease, we can conduct a perio cleaning to remove buildup from the teeth and the roots as well, a more involved process that brings the disease into a more manageable state.
Protecting Smiles at Home
If you have periodontal disease, you may need a perio cleaning and then traditional cleanings every three to four months. In between these visits, good oral hygiene habits at home can safeguard your smile. For example, cut back on the amount of sugar and starch in your diet, and also brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every evening. Avoid tobacco products too. These factors help limit the severity of plaque and keep your disease in a manageable state until we can clean the smile and remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup.
If you have any questions about traditional cleanings or perio options, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk to Our Team About Removing Harmful Buildup
We would like to help you enjoy good oral health and about issues like tooth decay and gum disease. To learn more about protecting your smile, or to schedule your next visit, give us a call at Celina Family Dentistry at (214) 851-0130!
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