It’s important for adults and children alike to understand the importance of seeing the dentist at least twice a year. At Moreno & Young Dental, we believe that “prevention” is the key word for dealing with cavities, gum disease, and other oral problems. That’s why during your regular dental check-ups and cleanings, we’ll help you find potential problem areas in your mouth and advise you on ways you can avoid potentially larger health issues.
Your biannual appointments are an opportunity for Dr. Moreno or Dr. Young to check for cavities; this can be done by visually and physically examining your teeth. They’ll also be on the lookout for gum disease, which can cause redness, swelling, and bleeding in the gums.
A check-up is also an opportunity to find plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth. Even if you brush and floss on a regular basis, bacteria can still accumulate in areas you miss or can’t clean easily. Your dentist will be able to find these places and advise you on ways you can improve your oral hygiene routine; for example, they might suggest that you pay extra attention to the gumline or to the molars in the back of your mouth.
Of course, a dental appointment isn’t just a way to find plaque and tartar; it’s to help get rid of it as well. This step is especially important because once plaque hardens into tartar, you won’t be able to remove it on your own. We have the tools and techniques needed to get rid of these particularly stubborn areas.
Tartar is removed via a special tool in a process called scaling. Afterwards, your teeth will be polished with a gritty toothpaste in order to remove any stains. The final step is to floss the teeth in order to ensure that every surface is as clean as possible.
Seeing the dentist every six months gives you the best chance to have tooth decay and gum disease identified as early as possible. These conditions are much easier to deal with in their earliest stages, but if they’re left unaddressed, they can cause you or your loved ones a lot of pain and may require much more costly treatments.
It’s also important to remember that good oral health is a key part of good overall health. The bacteria involved in oral diseases can spread to other parts of the body; they’ve been linked to many conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and respiratory problems. By removing these bacteria as quickly as possible, we can help make sure they don’t contribute to even bigger problems later!
If it’s about time for your family to have their appointments, or if you have questions about other preventive services, schedule an appointment at Moreno & Young Dental today!
