The holidays are a busy time for most people; get togethers abound, your children have performances at school, and family and friends converge to spend time together. Along with the festivities comes the sugary and starchy foods that can wreak havoc on your pearly whites.
To counteract this effect on your oral health, keep up your excellent daily toothbrushing and flossing routine, and don’t skip your scheduled dental checkup and cleaning.
According to the American Dental Association, seeing your dentist every six months to remove hardened plaque and tartar and to check on your teeth and gums is one of the most vital habits to establish for your oral health.
Once you check in at your dental office, the hygienist will call you back and help you get comfortable in the dental chair to clean your teeth. There are various tools used by your dental team to remove the accumulated plaque and tartar that has built up since your last cleaning. Unless you have the proper tools, tartar cannot easily be removed. This will keep away the destructive effects of tooth decay and gum disease.
Your hygienist will also look for tooth decay after the cleaning, by using a dental probe. Then your teeth will be polished using a mildly abrasive tooth polish and rotary tool to remove mild staining on your tooth surfaces. If it turns out your chompers are discolored you may want to ask about possible tooth whitening options which are available.
Your dentist will also inspect your teeth and gums for problems, which may mean X-rays so that your bone health is also visible. Next, your dentist will perform a basic oral cancer screening by examining your tongue and throat and your face and neck to see if there is unusual swelling or infection.
During the check up, you can ask about any problems you are having with your oral hygiene routine and treatment options or concerns.
This season, no matter how busy you are, take the time to keep your scheduled cleanings and checkups and your teeth will thank you!!! Please call our friendly staff at 760.729.5964 and let us help you keep your smile healthy and bright.