An important part of effectively caring for your smile is completing your professional cleanings and assessments on time. Our Glendale dentists know that you are doing a great job caring for your smile at home, but there are some things that our dentists are able to do in-office, that you can’t replicate at home.
During your appointment, our dentists do a number of important things:
- Screen your teeth for signs of infection or decay
- Complete an oral cancer screening—we may additionally take biopsies of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissues
- Review your at-home oral hygiene routine, and help you tweak any parts of it that are not working well for you
- Help you craft a long-term dental plan that includes preventive treatment, as well as any cosmetic or restorative issues you would like to address.
When you fall behind with your semi-annual cleanings you may notice a number of changes to your smile:
- Dull or discolored teeth: our teeth tend to accumulate stains from environmental factors: foods, drinks, and tobacco products (especially).
- Increased instances of cavities and infections: no matter how well you care for your smile at home, at least some plaque will build up and calcify over time. Professional cleanings are the best way to get rid of problematic bacteria.
- Chronic bad breath: oral bacteria emit unpleasant odors as they grow and multiply. So, as plaque takes over your smile, you will likely find it hard to achieve and maintain fresh breath.
- Gum disease: bacteria can infiltrate your teeth and cause cavities, but they can also infect your gums and oral tissues. As gum tissue progresses and gets worse, you may actually see your gum tissue pulling away from your teeth, and your teeth may feel loose.
The ADA recommends semi-annual cleanings for a reason; sticking to your schedule of professional cleanings and assessments truly does minimize your risk of developing serious, and costly, oral health problems. Even if it has been years since you have been to the dentist’s office, our Glendale dentists are here to help you. We look forward to hearing from you!