Teeth Cleaning

It is common thinking that when there is no pain, there are no problems. Why should I go to the dentist and get my teeth cleaned every 6 months when everything seems fine to me. Think about a professional athlete for a moment. An NRL player puts their body on the line in the heavy contact sport. A game is played with a break at half time. At full time there is celebration or disappointment, some discussion and then a cool down with basic exercise. Throughout the week leading up to a game there is regular working out and training. During the off season the body is prepared with more of the same. Advice is heeded from performance experts and past players who have succeeded.

Like the body of an NRL player, your mouth and your teeth need to be worked on every day for them to maintain peak condition even if there is nothing wrong. You need to brush and floss your teeth morning and night. You fit in a brush at lunch time when you can. The foods you eat need to be thought out and you are mindful of what you are exposing your mouth to. Experts recommend that you seek professional teeth cleaning services every 6 months to avoid long term issues and keep your teeth in prime condition. You should heed their advice. You look at those around you who are older and have managed to keep their teeth in the best shape. You know those people have taken their dental health seriously. You should be inspired to do the same.

Even the most proficient brushers and flosses leave a little bit of plaque and calculus under the gum-line and between the teeth. Leaving that little bit of plaque and calculus there for only a short time is very important. Damage that is caused in the short term may be negligible and easily reversible. For example, your teeth may have lost a little bit of mineral but your saliva has been replenishing it. The gums may become a little redder, swollen and sometimes bleed. This is what is commonly called early gum disease or gingivitis. Getting your teeth cleaned in a timely manner can help the gums return to a pinker and firmer state with reduced or no bleeding.

Choosing to delay your teeth cleaning is when the problems begin. Plaque and calculus will continue to build up. Your mouth will be under constant attack from bacteria which can cause your teeth to break down faster than your saliva can replace the lost mineral. You may have cavities form in your teeth and develop tooth decay. Your gums will continue to break down and allow bacteria to attack the bone. This will lead to advanced gum disease or periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is irreversible. Once you lose gum and bone it is gone and will not grow back. It is essential to preserve what you currently have.

Let's Talk About Keeping Things Clean!

Why is it so important to get your teeth cleaned regularly? Isn’t just brushing them every day good enough? Let’s look at the key benefits of professional teeth cleaning:

• Removal of plaque buildup
• Removal of calculus buildup
• Removal of stains
• Prevents tooth decay
• Prevents loss of gum and bone
• Corrects early gum disease
• Replaces lost minerals in your teeth
• Promotes long term dental health

Just because you can’t feel the symptoms doesn't mean you don't have the problem. Many symptoms of tooth decay and gum disease will only present when the case is already severe. So most of the time you will not realise you even have a problem until it is too late. Don’t wait until you have symptoms before you come in to see us. By then it may not be a case of a quick clean. You may need more work like fillings. It could be more complex and require root canal treatment or crowns to save the teeth. Teeth cleaning should be thought of as a preventative step not a solution to your dental issues.

A regular clean is not an expensive process. It isn’t painful unless you have developed some severe damage. Conversely, if you avoid it then looking after your teeth will become both painful and expensive. That pain won’t be limited to when you get things fixed up. It will affect every part of your daily life. You may not be able to enjoy the same food and drinks. You may find other aspects of your life are not as enjoyable. Even your confidence and interactions can be affected by dental problems. Come in and see us regularly and we’ll keep the good times rolling for your teeth.