Edison Dental Hygiene & Cleanings
Why Are Dental Exams & Cleanings Important?
We all love that good, clean feeling after a trip to the dentist. Wouldn’t it be nice if your teeth could feel that way all the time? With regular preventive dental care, they can. At your six-month cleaning, your dental hygienist thoroughly removes the plaque and tartar that cause cavities and gum disease, talks to you about your dental health, and then applies dental sealants or a fluoride treatment for added protection. When was your last visit to the dentist? If it’s been more than six months, you’re missing out on a crucial aspect of good dental hygiene.
Clean Teeth & Healthy Gums Require Good Hygiene
No matter how well you brush and floss your teeth at home, you can still benefit from regular dental cleanings. The Rosenfeld Dental Associates team recommends these twice-annual visits for patients of all ages.
What’s the difference between plaque and tartar?
The primary goal of your dental cleaning is to remove the plaque and tartar that have built up since your last visit to the dentist. While they’re often confused for each other, plaque is the clear, sticky precursor to tartar, the hard, yellow substance that can only be removed by a dental professional. Both substances lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so their regular removal is recommended for good oral health.
Regular Dental Cleanings Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is a condition that affects the majority of Americans, and it’s also the leading cause of tooth loss in people over the age of 35. This number is not so surprising given the fact that many adults skip preventive dental care.
During your six month checkup and cleaning, we’ll examine your gums to make sure they are infection-free and then remove the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease. The condition is easily reversed with improved at-home care when caught in its beginning stages.
Dental Sealants and Fluoride Treatment
In addition to removing the substances that cause cavities, we can also apply dental sealants and fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. Dental sealants are thin, plastic coverings that are painted directly onto the chewing surface of the molars. These back teeth are covered in pits and fissures that make them highly prone to decay, but dental sealants can shield teeth from cavity-causing acids and bacteria for years.
The mineral fluoride is well-known for its tooth-strengthening properties. If it is determined that you are at a higher risk for cavities, we will apply a quick fluoride treatment after your dental cleaning. While dental sealants and fluoride treatments are especially beneficial for cavity-prone children, patients of all ages can benefit from decay prevention.
Maintaining Good Dental Hygiene Habits at Home
In addition to your six month cleaning, make sure you’re maintaining a good dental hygiene routine at home too by keeping the following in mind:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes after each meal, or at least twice a day
- Floss daily
- Maintain a nutritious diet
- Do not use tobacco
Has it been six months since your last dental hygiene appointment at Rosenfeld Dental Associates? If so, it’s important that you seek the preventive care you need right now. Contact our office to schedule your dental cleaning today!