Professional dental cleanings consist of a thorough cleaning of your teeth by removing invisible, sticky plaque, and built-up, hardened plaque called tartar or calculus. If tartar is not regularly removed it will infect your gingival tissue (gums) and cause gingivitis (the early stages of gum disease), and eventually periodontitis (severe gum disease). Gingivitis can be prevented with proper, regular hygiene at home, and regular dental cleanings. However, once it develops into periodontitis it can lead to tooth loss and the degeneration of your underlying jaw bone.
Dental checkups are equally important. During a checkup your dentist or dental hygienist will take x-rays to view the health of your teeth and jaw structure. She will also conduct a thorough visual examination of your teeth, tongue, and other oral tissues. Using light-emitting technology, she can identify weak areas in your enamel where cavities are likely to occur. She will also use an oral cancer detection tool to screen for oral cancer annually.
Peddicord Family Dentistry is now OPEN and we have resumed seeing patients during our regular…
While we all need checkups and cleanings to keep smiles strong and healthy, you also…
A dental implant offers a replacement for your tooth roots that helps ensure a long-lasting…
As children, we understood that it was natural to lose our baby teeth and develop…
If you lose most of your teeth, or even all of them, there is still…
What if you have tooth loss too severe for a bridge, but not major enough…