Why Do I Need to Get My Teeth Cleaned? The truth about dental cleanings.
You’ve often wondered why your friends go to the dentist every six months. You think that’s too often, because it’s been about three years since you’ve been in for a cleaning, and you think you are doing fine. The truth is gum and periodontal disease are often silent
conditions. All you may notice is that your gums may bleed when you brush. You need to get your teeth cleaned at least every six months to one year to ward off gum and periodontal problems, and Dr. Mark Peterson at Sebastian River Dentistry in Sebastian, Florida, is here to help you.
The first sign of gum problems is gingivitis, caused from toxins and plaque being left on your teeth long enough to make your gums inflamed. Signs of gingivitis are redness, swelling and bleeding.
If you don’t come in for regular cleanings, a hard material called calculus or tartar will form on your teeth, both above and below your gums. The hard irregular surface of calculus is a great surface for plaque and bacteria to adhere to, causing even more inflammation and infection.
If left untreated, your gum problems can develop to affect the bone supporting your teeth. When you have lost significant gum and bone support around your teeth, this is known as periodontal disease, what used to be called pyorrhea. You may not even notice any problems until suddenly your teeth are mobile because you’ve lost the bone holding them in place. You can be entirely blissfully ignorant of anything going on, but your dentist and hygienist know what is happening.
That’s why it is so important for you to go in for regular dental cleanings and exams. Dental professionals like Dr. Mark Peterson and his highly-skilled team will help you stop gum and periodontal problems before they become more serious.
If you have gingivitis and light deposits of calculus, a simple one visit cleaning will probably be enough to keep you in top shape. If you haven’t been in for a long time, you may need additional visits to get you completely clean. If you have additional periodontal involvement and have lost significant bone around your teeth, you may need supportive periodontal therapy, which is a more comprehensive cleaning every three to four months.
At Sebastian River Dentistry in Sebastian, Florida, Dr. Mark Peterson will help you get yourself back on the way to good oral health. When your mouth is healthy, it goes a long way toward your general health and well-being. So call today for a consultation and get back on track!