Dental Cleanings Prevent Disease
…and Enable Early Diagnosis of Oral Health Problems
At Smile Design Dentistry locations throughout Florida, we provide thorough dental cleanings for your entire family. Your local Smile Design hygienist will gently remove plaque and tartar to fight against decay and gum disease. At this appointment, your local hygienist and dentist will look for and inform you about any present signs of decay, gum disease, and more. You and your children will receive the oral hygiene advice and guidance you need to maintain a healthy smile.
Patients of all ages should undergo dental cleanings. As soon as children develop their first teeth, they should visit the dentist regularly. Children’s teeth are just as susceptible to decay as adult teeth. Decay is a vicious cycle. Patients who have cavities in childhood are more likely to have them as adults. Additionally, individuals who no longer have natural teeth should also receive routine cleanings. Even people with dental implants or removable dentures are still susceptible to gum disease. Regular dental care can prevent gum irritation, jawbone recession, and a changed facial structure.
For a healthy smile, you should schedule routine dental cleanings. Along with daily brushing and flossing, they are among the most important factors in the fight against decay and gum disease Your mouth naturally contains certain amounts of bacteria, and some are actually beneficial to your dental health. However, other harmful bacteria will interact with sugar to form acid. The acid will erode your dental enamel, and the bacteria will penetrate through the underlying layers of your tooth. Eventually, this process will cause a cavity. In addition, if bacteria remains on your teeth, it can form pockets below your gum line. As the pockets grow, you may suffer gum recession, tooth loss, and bone degeneration. Fortunately, routine cleanings can prevent these problems from occurring.
When you come in for your appointment, you will first meet with one of our friendly hygienists. Each of our team members are dedicated to your comfort and peace of mind. They will use gentle techniques to remove plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria from your teeth. Your hygienist will also happily answer any questions about your oral health and the best ways to care for your teeth. Your Smile Design dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of dental decay and gum disease. When gum disease is caught in the early stages, it can often be treated with more frequent cleanings or a deeper cleaning (a scaling and root planing procedure), and possibly an antibiotic. If gum disease is at an advanced stage, it will require more aggressive care. We will also take safe, digital x-rays on a regular basis in combination with your regular dental cleanings. These images may reveal decay or more problems to be addressed.
If it has been six months or more since you had a dental cleaning, you are overdue to have one. Dental plaque can develop on teeth and irritate gum tissue within six months of your last cleaning, even with regular thorough brushing and interdental cleaning with floss and other oral hygiene devices at home. Some people are more susceptible than others to gum disease and decay, and in their situation, more frequent dental cleanings may be recommended. At Smile Design locations throughout Florida, we welcome new patients. Give us a call today!