While you may be staying on top of your oral hygiene routine at home, it is important to see a dentist who specializes in Fairfield, ME family dentistry for professional cleanings every six months.  Going to the dentist twice every year will make sure your oral health is properly taken care of. 

Scheduling an appointment with your dentist every six months can also benefit your overall health. An infection in your mouth can spread to other parts of your body and cause further harm. Below are the reasons you must see your dentist every six months:

Remove Plaque and Tartar

Even if you diligently brush and floss your teeth, some areas in your mouth can remain uncleaned. This is where plaque can build up from the food particles left behind after you brush and floss your teeth. Over time, this plaque can harden and develop into tartar, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities when not removed as soon as possible. Professional cleaning in your dentist’s office will get rid of both plaque and tartar and ensure your mouth is safe from any disease. 

Get X-rays

During your dentist checkup and cleaning, your dentist may request that you get an X-ray to see possible issues with your teeth or gums. Addressing dental issues in the early stages is easier, less expensive, and less painful when done immediately. 

Check for Oral Cancer

While anybody can get oral cancer, people who smoke and consume alcohol regularly have an increased risk of getting this cancer. Detecting oral cancer sooner than later increases your chances of overcoming it. Your dentist can check for symptoms of this cancer and direct you to a treatment facility when necessary. 

Avoid or Stop Bad Habits

Those who smoke, grind their teeth, clench their jaw, consume sweets, chew on ice, and consume wine must see a dentist every six months. The dentist can educate them on how such unhealthy habits can affect their teeth and gums, as well as recommend options to deal with such habits. 

When it comes to your oral health, it is important to be proactive. Going to your family dentist regularly for checkups helps you maintain dental hygiene and prevent oral diseases. Sometimes, you may need to see your dentist more frequently, depending on your oral condition. No matter how often you are recommended to see a dentist, you must take dental checkups seriously and ensure you don’t miss your appointments. 

If you are like many people, you occasionally forget to brush your teeth before going to bed at night. You may feel cozy in bed that you do not want to get up and brush your teeth. While a night of not brushing your teeth won’t hurt, skipping this every night can have negative consequences. Experienced dentists in Ankeny will always emphasize the importance of tooth brushing for oral hygiene. 

Why You Should Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice every day gets rid of the plaque and prevents the formation of cavities that can lead to tooth loss. Also, it protects your gum from diseases and prevents bad breath. Remember to floss your teeth too, to keep your mouth clean and protected. 

Why Brush Your Teeth Before You Go to Bed

Experts recommend brushing your teeth after you eat breakfast and before you go to bed. Below are the reasons brushing your teeth before going to bed is important:

• Prevent bacterial growth. Going to bed without brushing your teeth can lead to bacteria eating your mouth’s residuals and generating plaque. This can result in cavities, tooth decay, and gum decay. The longer plaque is in your mouth, the more damage it can cause. This is the reason you must brush your teeth two times every day. This provides the plaque with less time to work on the enamel of your tooth and does lasting damage. In addition, plaque gets harder over time. This is how tartar develops, causing teeth discoloration. Brushing is not enough to remove tartar. And skipping brushing too often can make brushing less effective.
• Minimize acid level buildup. Your mouth builds up acid, which is neutralized by your saliva with calcium. But saliva production tends to be slow at night. As a result, the acid level in your mouth increases, letting bacteria eat your teeth. However, brushing your teeth before going to bed maintains the level of saliva in your mouth because of the fluoride in your toothpaste, preventing your teeth from damage. 

It takes just skipping one brushing time for a cavity to start forming. If you continuously neglect to brush for several nights, such a habit can be quite risky for your oral health. Also, you must think about the quality of your brushing because not brushing your teeth properly before going to bed can be as bad as not brushing them at all.