Regardless of how disciplined you are when it comes to oral hygiene, it is important that this is coupled by regular dental checkups. The American Dental Association highly recommends that people should arrange to visit their dental clinic in Wilmington NC every six months.
What to expect during a regular checkup:
Checkup: Your dentist will give your teeth and gums a thorough examination looking for any evidence of cavities as well as the buildup of stubborn plaque and tartar. Plaque is the sticky substance that forms on the surface of your teeth, it is actually bacteria. If plaque is not removed it can turn into hard tartar. Although plaque can be removed during brushing, tartar cannot. It is the accumulation of these substances on and between your teeth that eventually leads to decay.
Cleaning: Although brushing and flossing keep a great deal of the plaque from forming into tartar, it is impossible to eliminate it all at home. The dentist or an oral hygienist will use specials tools to remove this buildup, the process is called “scaling.” After the tartar and plaque has been completely removed the teeth are given a final polishing.
What you should do between regular visits:
Between your regular visits to the dental clinic in Wilmington NC it is important that you take care of your teeth and gums. Plaque buildup is constant, it forms from bacteria, but you can keep it under control with regular daily brushing and flossing. Good oral care includes:
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Brushing your teeth twice a day minimum using toothpaste that contains fluoride
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Flossing between teeth daily
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Using a mouthwash helps to rid the mouth of bacteria that turns into plaque, mouth wash also helps to keep your breath fresh
For more information visit Coastal Smiles Family Dentistry.
