Regular brushing and flossing at home are important to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but regular visits to the dentist are also vital. Having your teeth examined and professionally cleaned helps ensure any problems are discovered, diagnosed, and treated promptly, before they develop into major issues. It’s recommended that you have your teeth professionally cleaned about every six months.
Why Isn’t Brushing and Flossing at Home Enough?
Brushing and flossing at home are extremely important to your overall dental health. However, even diligent at-home oral hygiene can’t accomplish everything that a visit to the dentist can. Your dentist has special dentistry tools at his disposal that can clean your teeth much more thoroughly.
Your dental appointment will usually include:
- Professional cleaning
- Plaque and tartar removal with special tools
- X-rays
- Examination of your gums
- Oral cancer screening
- Fluoride treatment
In addition to these important treatments and screenings, you can ask your dentist about any issues you might be having with your teeth or any questions you might have about how to properly care for your mouth.
Taking Good Care of your Teeth and Gums
At-home care still remains a vitally important part of your dental hygiene. You should brush and floss regularly, avoid sugary, sticky or highly acidic foods, and, if necessary, clean your tongue to reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth. If your dentist recommends it, a fluoride rinse can also help keep your teeth strong and healthy. Your dentist might also recommend other products that can help keep your teeth healthy, including special toothpastes for sensitive teeth or teeth that have experienced acid erosion, or special mouthwashes for halitosis or to prevent dry mouth.
Overall, keeping your mouth and teeth healthy is a job for both you and your dental professional. Doing your part of the job on a regular basis at home means you’ll have less need for extensive professional treatment. Regular checkups, though, will ensure no problems have developed and will help you maintain your oral health over time.
Schedule your checkup by calling 416-922-1012 today.