Do you really need a dental cleaning if your teeth seem perfectly fine? They look good. They feel good. What’s the point? You wouldn’t go to the doctor every six months unless something was wrong. So why visit the dentist that often?
These are great questions.
Regular dental cleanings remove smelly, cavity-causing tartar from places your toothbrush and floss simply can’t reach. What the hygienist does at a cleaning, you can’t replicate at home. So cleanings are super important—for kids as well as adults. And while you’re at the dental office, go ahead and get a quick exam. If anything is wrong, Dr. Julie Lombard can address the problem early. You’ll be less likely to experience pain, early treatment is less costly, and you could avoid needing more invasive procedures, like a root canal or tooth extraction.
Dental cleanings and checkups just make good sense.
Dr. Julie Glud and our team offer quality, compassionate care to patients of all ages. Whether you need a simple filling, dental implants, or teeth whitening, we will work with you to create a treatment plan that meets your needs, to give you a healthy, strong, and beautiful smile. If it’s been more than six months since you’ve seen the dentist, contact our Lombard dental office at (630) 629-5700 today.
Why You Need Pro Dental Cleanings
Hygienists go to school for years to study oral health. Our hygienists know their stuff! At your cleaning visit, the hygienist will clean all exposed surfaces of your teeth, including the difficult to reach spots that you miss while brushing and flossing at home. Your appointment will include:
- Removing tartar build-up
- Removing plaque
- Polishing your teeth to remove surface stains
- Discussing the best homecare products and practices for you
- Answering all of your questions about dental care and health
You’re supposed to brush twice a day and floss once. Have you ever wondered why? There’s logic behind this recommendation. Plaque is a naturally occurring, sticky and smelly substance that forms on teeth. Any plaque left on teeth for more than 48 hours becomes calcified, which means it hardens into a substance we call tartar or calculus. Tartar is really difficult to remove. First, the hygienist has to find it, then she must either scrape it off manually or use an ultrasonic wand, which emits sound waves that blast away tartar.
What happens if you don’t remove tartar? Cavities form. If you’re unsure about whether you have a cavity, check for these symptoms:
- Toothaches
- Pressure and sensitivity when eating
- A hole or pit in your tooth
- Pus around your tooth
If you notice any of these symptoms, call us now to schedule an appointment.
Why You Must Have Dental Exams Twice a Year
Exams are just as important as cleanings because when Dr. Glud finds and treats little problems like early tooth decay and tiny cracks in teeth, you’ll be much better off than if you wait for these issues to worsen. Cavities can quickly grow to cause an infection inside a tooth, at the base of a tooth root, or inside the jawbone. They can even spread to surrounding teeth. Cracks aren’t much safer. Small fractures can turn into large, painful cracks when you bite or chew. In some cases, teeth break all the way off, exposing the nerve to cause significant pain.
The hour or so it takes for your bi-annual dental checkups is well worth the investment. At the appointment, Dr. Glud will:
- Look for chips, cracks, cavities, and other abnormalities
- Check your bite and jaw for any problems
- Evaluate your risk of tooth decay and gum disease
- Evaluate existing tooth restorations for damage
- Screen for oral cancer
- Take dental x-rays, if necessary
- Help you with any concerns you mention, like bad breath or cosmetic issues
Between Visits, You Should…
Of course, your oral hygiene routine at home is essential in preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. A healthy, preventative dental care routine includes:
- Brush often. As a basic principle, you should brush twice a day, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Brushing after every meal helps clean and strengthen your teeth even further.
- Reduce your consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Ice cream, candy, and sodas weaken tooth enamel and promote bad bacteria to grow in your mouth.
- Floss daily. Flossing will remove plaque, as well as food particles that get stuck between your teeth. Flossing at the gum line between teeth helps keep the gums healthy.
- Use mouthwash. Antibacterial mouthwash provides extra protection against tooth decay by killing germs. It also helps prevent gingivitis (gum disease).
Schedule Your Dental Cleaning and Exam Today
The best way to fight tooth decay is to prevent it. When you miss your six-month preventive care appointments, you aren’t just risking cavities, you’re elevating the chances of gum disease, tooth loss, declining overall health. Contact Dental Care of Lombard today to schedule your appointment.
Dental cleanings and exams are just one of many services we provide. To learn more about our practice, call us today at (630) 629-5700.