Do you attend a dental cleaning once every six months? If you don’t, your oral health regimen could use a bit of a tune up. To find out why dental cleanings are so important to the health of your mouth, read the following information from your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Amanda Foust.
The Purpose of a Dental Cleaning
Dental cleanings are important because they allow your teeth to be cleaned and examined by dental professionals. Having your teeth examined by your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Foust, could reveal problems with your oral health such as the beginning of tooth decay or a bruxism habit. By catching these issues early during a cleaning, your oral health can be restored with early care, thereby preventing the development of major problems.
Dental cleanings also allow your teeth to be cleaned by a trained hygienist, skilled in removing stubborn plaque and tartar that can be difficult to remove with a toothbrush and floss alone. Using special instruments, the hygienist can scrape away this bacteria-ridden tartar, decreasing your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.
The Threat of Plaque
One of the biggest benefits of a dental cleaning is that during the cleaning, a hygienist can scrape plaque away from teeth. This is important because plaque contains harmful bacteria that consume lingering sugar in the mouth and give off an acid byproduct that damages teeth. When this damage compounds, a cavity can develop, weakening the structural integrity of the tooth. If a cavity is not repaired with a dental filling, the situation for the tooth will only worsen. The bacteria can delve into the pulp of the tooth, infecting it and putting the life of the entire tooth in peril.
Schedule a Visit with Your Ankeny IA Dentist
Are you and your family past due for ? If so, contact your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Foust, today to schedule an appointment by calling (515) 965-0230. Also, visit our website to print patient forms, learn about our team, and view our other services. We offer general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry and look forward to treating patients from Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, Alleman, and surrounding cities.
