A lot of people do not visit their dentist for routine dental exams and cleanings. These people have different reasons for ignoring their oral health. If it has been a long time since your last visit, you may want to know the signs you are due for teeth cleanings in Buffalo Grove. It may be time to get your teeth cleaned if you notice the signs below:
You Have a Dull Smile
Dental plaque accumulates on your teeth and under your gums throughout your teeth. While you are enjoying a meal, mouth bacteria also get to enjoy their favorite meal. These bacteria thrive on sugar and carbs, produce enamel-eroding acids, and cause tooth decay. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day and consuming water can help prevent the buildup of plaque.
But if people don’t eliminate plaque from the teeth, it hardens and becomes tartar, coating the enamel and invading below the gum line. As a result, the teeth will look brown or yellow. Brushing and flossing cannot remove tartar. Only professional tooth cleanings can eliminate it.
Your Gums are Swollen and Bleeding
Do your gums bleed whenever you brush your teeth? Usually, swollen, bleeding gums are the first signs of gingivitis and occur when bacteria multiply. Early intervention can help reverse gingivitis. But when patients delay intervention, gingivitis can advance into periodontal disease. Symptoms of this condition include gum pockets and extensive tissue and bone loss. When you develop gum disease, you must get your teeth cleaned frequently and undergo root scaling and planing. Such procedures can help control periodontitis.
You Have Sensitive Teeth
Do you avoid hot or cold foods and drinks due to tooth sensitivity? If so, you may need to see your dentist to get a diagnosis and treatment. Your teeth become sensitive when the enamel wears down due to tooth decay, leaky fillings, aggressive tooth brushing, consuming highly acidic foods and beverages, dental trauma, gum recession, and excessive teeth grinding. Tooth sensitivity is a complex problem, so visit your dentist immediately. After a thorough dental cleaning, your dentist will determine the next steps for your treatment.
Your Breath Stinks
In general, bad breath can result from consuming some foods, certain medications, or health issues. But if brushing and flossing cannot resolve your bad breath, there may be an underlying issue that must be addressed. When you visit your dentist, you will undergo a thorough teeth cleaning. A dental hygienist can eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath.
What to Expect During Professional Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings are regularly scheduled every six months. At your appointment, a dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth, examine your medical history, and ask about your at-home oral care. Also, they will thoroughly examine your soft tissues, any existing restorations, and your real teeth. They will screen you for oral cancer and answer questions you may have about your oral health.
Your dentist will ensure you have a healthy oral cavity. Periodically, X-rays are taken to ensure nothing is wrong with the gum tissue. Your dentist will clean your appliances and ensure they are perfectly in shape.
Who can benefit from professional cleanings? The answer is that everyone needs them. From the moment your teeth begin to come in, every six months until you are old, you still have to come in for dental cleanings and X-rays.
If you have not had a cleaning in over 6 months, you are supposed to see your dentist as soon as possible. A healthy set of teeth will give you a healthy, bright smile. Don’t delay any further as most oral health issues can be reversed with early intervention.
