Staying healthy in general requires regular checkups with your doctor, and the same is true for your oral health. In fact, routine checkups and cleanings are one of the most important aspects of good hygiene and prevention. However, sticking to a regular schedule of dental visits can sometimes seem less important, especially if you don’t notice any problems with your teeth and gums. At our Newhall, CA, dental office, we generally recommend attending a checkup and cleaning appointment at least once every six months to ensure that your smile remains healthy for life.
Why professional attention matters
When you brush and floss your teeth at home every day, the point is to remove the buildup of plaque (oral bacteria and food particles) on your teeth and gumline. The bacteria in plaque can cause harm to your teeth and gums if enough of them accumulate. When you miss a spot, plaque will calcify into tartar (or calculus) and become insoluble. Since you can’t remove tartar with toothpaste and water, the only way to keep your smile healthy is to have your dentist or dental hygienist remove it during a routine professional cleaning.
The importance of consistency
Ironically, some people are more prone to skip a checkup and cleaning appointment if they’re especially attentive to their hygiene routines at home. This attentiveness can keep your smile free of most plaque buildup, but everyone can miss a spot now and then. If you believe that you’ve kept all bacteria at bay, then you may not consider a checkup and cleaning appointment necessary. However, this can give any unseen spots of plaque the time they need to grow and seriously threaten your oral health. The only way checkups and cleanings can keep your smile healthy is if you attend every visit regularly, as often as your dentist recommends.
When you need more than just cleaning
Cleaning your teeth and gums is one part of a regular preventive appointment, but the other part involves carefully inspecting your teeth and gums to see if any problem has developed since your last visit. For example, plaque and tartar may have led to a cavity in your tooth, or the beginnings of gingivitis (early gum disease). If your exam reveals a concern, then we can consult with you to determine the best course of treatment and address the issue before it becomes more extensive.
Schedule a checkup and cleaning today
Regular checkup and cleaning appointments are often the most important part of professional dental care. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.