A healthy mouth is important for a number of reasons. Tooth cleanings help prevent aesthetic issues such as discoloration and stains, but they are equally important for the overall health of your body. Bacteria in your mouth can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
These common dental problems can lead to a number of systemic issues including:
- Heart disease
- Endocarditis
- Respiratory issues
- Pregnancy complications including premature birth
Problems with oral health can also and eventually require root canal therapy, tooth extractions, or surgical intervention.
When you visit Aesthetic Dental Studio every six months for regular cleanings, our experienced general dentistry staff can remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar to help prevent these problems from occurring.
What is the Best Toothbrush and Toothpaste for Good Oral Health?
What works for someone else may not work ideally for you. Keep that in mind when considering how to take the best care of your teeth. In general, it is recommended to brush using soft bristles. A medium or firm-bristled toothbrush could cause scratches on your gums, and these scratches could contribute to gum recession. Studies suggest that toothbrushes with soft, mixed-height bristles or angled bristles may do a better job of removing debris and plaque than toothbrushes with completely flat bristles. You may use an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush, whichever you prefer, just make sure that you brush twice a day and replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Toothpaste is designed to break up bacterial growth, debris, and acids that sit on your teeth after you eat or drink. Ideally, your dentist may want you to use fluoride toothpaste to help protect and strengthen your teeth. Depending on your dental situation, such as having porcelain crowns or veneers, you may be advised against using whitening toothpaste. If your teeth ache when you consume hot or cold items, you might want to purchase a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth.
I Use Antibacterial Mouthwash. Do I Really Need to Floss Every Day?
Antibacterial mouthwash is beneficial and can be swished in between your teeth. However, it is not a substitute for flossing. Your daily flossing practice is the only way to thoroughly remove food and plaque from between your teeth and along the gumline. If you do not remove plaque through your daily flossing, this sticky biofilm will harden. The hardened calculus, called tartar, can contribute to gum recession. As your gums pull away from your teeth, bacteria and debris move beneath the gumline where infection may occur more rapidly.
What Should I Do About a Toothache?
If you notice shooting pain, throbbing pain, or a dull ache in a tooth, schedule an appointment sooner rather than later! Depending on the severity of the pain and how quickly you can be seen by the dentist, you may need to do one of the following:
- Take over-the-counter medication to alleviate pain.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salty water. Spit the water out, do not swallow it.
- Very gently brush and floss around the tooth to remove food debris that may be stuck.
Will My Dental Cleanings Whiten My Teeth?
Professional teeth cleanings are necessary for a truly healthy mouth. During these visits, your dentist or hygienist will use special instruments as needed to remove plaque and hardened tartar from teeth. They'll floss your teeth and also polish them. Plaque and tartar have a yellowish tinge. Polishing can remove surface stains. That said, you probably won't see significant brightening from your routine dental cleaning. If you're concerned with significant discoloration, talk to Dr. Chee about professional teeth whitening treatment!
General Dental Visits
Your biannual visits to our Calgary general dentistry office serve the dual purpose of preventing and treating potential oral health issues. During your cleaning we will remove plaque and tartar that even the most thorough at-home routine fails to reach. Much of this buildup cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. The instruments we use to remove buildup and polish your teeth provide you with the healthiest smile possible.
In addition to a professional cleaning, your dental checkup will include a thorough examination of your jaw, bite alignment, and detection of early signs of tooth decay, periodontal disease, vitamin deficiencies, and diseases like oral cancer and diabetes. Early detection is often necessary for proper treatment of oral health issues. By detecting these problems in their earliest stages, we can help prevent larger medical issues from occurring.
We are devoted to providing our patients with the cleanest, healthiest smiles possible. If a potential issue is detected, we can we can work with you to identify the best treatment options available to ensure your mouth and body remain healthy and strong.
If you live in or around Calgary or Cochrane, Alberta please call 403-543-4600 to arrange an appointment at Aesthetic Dental Studio, or complete our online form.
