Have You Checked Your Calendar Lately? It’s Time For A Checkup!
Consider this your reminder to schedule your next cleaning and examination at our office. Regular checkups and cleanings are essential to maintain your oral health and keep your teeth looking and feeling great. Keep reading to learn why we recommend all of our patients visit us every 6 months.
Preventative Care is the Key
If you want to keep your teeth for the rest of your life, follow these steps:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Bonus points if you brush after each meal.
- Floss at least once a day. Flossing is the only way to remove the food particles and bacteria from between your teeth and the best way to keep your gums healthy.
- Get a professional cleaning and examination every 6 months. Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove all the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. A cleaning at our office will do that.
A Cleaning is About More than Your Teeth
When you come in for regular dental cleanings, we keep a running record of your oral health, which makes detecting problems in their early stages easier. Treatments for oral health issues like decay, for example, are typically the most effective and the least invasive in the earliest stages. A filling for a small cavity requires less intervention on the healthy tooth enamel than a filling for a large cavity, for instance. Similarly, gum disease is reversible when detected early but may require surgery in severe cases.
Your First Line of Defense Against Disease
At your cleaning appointment, your dentist examines your teeth, gums, and mouth—including with X-rays and other imaging—to look for abnormalities that might indicate disordered sleep, severe stress, and even cancer. Any of these issues can have serious implications for your overall health. Additionally, when you practice good oral hygiene, including regular cleanings, you reduce the risk that harmful bacteria in your mouth will travel through your body and cause an infection in your heart or lungs.
If it has been more than 6 months since your last visit to our office located in Bowie, MD, please call. We would be happy to schedule an appointment for a cleaning and examination.
