On Valentine’s Day many of us will be celebrating. Fancy dinners and delicious chocolates are great, especially when we share them with someone we care about, but they can be hard on your teeth. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash can help keep your mouth healthy, but they aren’t enough on their own. Regular dental visits, preferably every 6 months, are necessary in order to keep your mouth in good shape. During your dental visit several important things will happen.
- The Checkup
During your the checkup portion of your visit your dental professional will check for cavities and plaque. Plaque is a clear, sticky substance that is produced by bacteria in your mouth. If plaque is allowed to remain it will harden into tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. If tartar is allowed to sit on your teeth it can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Once your dental professional has assessed your teeth he or she will check your gums using a special tool that measures the spaces between your teeth and gums. Healthy gums create shallow spaces while larger spaces can be a sign of gum disease. During this portion of the checkup your dental professional will also check your tongue, face, head and neck to look for any signs of swelling or other problematic symptoms of various diseases. - The Cleaning
After your checkup your dental professional will clean any tartar from your teeth using a special tool. This process is called scaling. Once your teeth have been scaled your dental professional may polish them, typically using a gritty paste. Polishing your teeth helps remove any surface stains that may have formed. The final step of a professional cleaning involves flossing, where your dental professional will use floss to thoroughly clean between your teeth.
Between dental visits you should ensure that you brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once per day. Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride so that you can strengthen your tooth enamel and help protect your teeth from decay. You should also rinse with mouthwash at least once per day in order to kill off the bacteria that cause plaque and keep your breath fresh.
For more information about dental visits, or to book an appointment, call the Marlborough Dental Clinic today at 403.248.2066 and visit marlboroughdentalcentre.com.
