Dental Exams in Lino Lakes MN | Important Reasons for Regular Dental Exams (Part 1)
Maintaining good dental health is imperative for your overall health. Brushing and flossing regularly is crucial, but it’s important to see a dentist regularly to ensure your teeth, gums, and mouth are healthy. Getting regular dental exams and teeth cleanings are very important to maintain good dental health. Here are 3 important reasons to get regular dental exams: Dental Exams in Lino Lakes MN
Prevent Tooth Decay & Cavities
Bacteria that accumulate in the mouth produce acid that attacks teeth. The bacteria combine with sugars in food and drink and create a sticky film called plaque which covers the teeth. The acids then break down (erode) the tooth structure, causing decay. This happens frequently when sugars are eaten often or left on the teeth for long periods of time between brushing. Sugar is not always visible to the naked eye, so it can be easy to forget that foods such as tomato sauce and vegetables also contain sugar, which can lead to tooth decay.
Can Help Prevent Gum Disease
If you neglect your teeth, they can fall out. That is a fear that drives many to visit the dentist regularly, but it’s not the only reason to do so. Seeing your dentist twice a year can also help prevent gum disease and other conditions that can lead to tooth loss.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, refers to inflammation of the soft tissue in your mouth, as well as infections in your jawbone, which holds your teeth in place. In its earliest stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis can be treated with regular oral care at home and a few dentist visits if necessary. If it progresses beyond this stage, however, gingivitis becomes periodontal disease or periodontitis; this condition cannot be cured but only managed through treatment by dental professionals and continued care at home.
Gum diseases are caused by bacteria present in plaque buildup on your teeth; plaque is constantly forming on our teeth when we eat foods containing carbohydrates and sugars (that includes fruit). Bacteria feed off these nutrients and release acids that cause tooth decay and damage oral tissue over time.
Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day help remove plaque before it has time to form tartar (the hardened substance) and cause damage; seeing your dentist every six months ensures that any remaining plaque or tartar will be removed from hard-to-reach places like between teeth or below the gumline where flossing alone cannot reach them.
Get Plaque & Tartar Professionally Removed
Your dentist will use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that coats your teeth, and tartar is hardened plaque, which forms when it becomes too hard for you to remove with tooth brushing. Tartar buildup can lead to inflammation of the gums, gingivitis, and gum disease. Gingivitis can become severe if left untreated and must be treated by a dental professional. Plaque and tartar are also the main cause of cavities. Cavities occur when the bacteria found in plaque feed on sugars in food particles left on your teeth after eating or drinking. This causes an acid attack on tooth enamel that can eventually result in decay of the tooth structure if not removed by brushing or by removing plaque during dental cleanings.
Contact your local dentist in Lino Lakes MN to schedule your regular teeth cleaning and dental exam. At Birch Lake Dental, we have many services & procedures available to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at your local family dentist in Lino Lakes MN. Watch for Part 2 of this blog series for a few more important reasons to get regular dental exams in the Twin Cities.