What your dentist in Naples wants you to know
When you brush and floss, you are doing a lot to keep your smile healthy, but there are some issues that can’t be solved with just brushing and flossing. That’s why regular professional cleanings are so important. Brushing and flossing can remove the soft deposits known as plaque that clings to your teeth, but it takes regular professional cleanings to monitor the health of your gums, teeth, and supporting bone.
Dr. JW Valentine at Eagle Creek Dentistry in Naples, FL wants to share why regular professional cleanings are a vital part of your oral hygiene routine. Regular professional cleanings can make the difference in preventing gum and periodontal disease.
During a professional cleaning, your dentist will check your gums for any signs of disease including redness, swelling, bleeding or loss of soft tissue support. X-rays will also aid in detecting any loss of bone around your teeth.
Regular professional cleanings will do more than just remove the plaque from your teeth. Hard deposits, known as calculus or tartar, are cleaned away, leaving a smooth tooth surface. Smooth tooth and root surfaces mean more resistance to plaque accumulation.
The problem with plaque is that it contains millions of harmful bacteria which can produce poisons that infect your gums, causing gum disease. Over time, the poisons also start to destroy the bone supporting your teeth, and you have periodontal disease. Regular professional cleanings can do a lot to prevent gum and periodontal disease and the damage they can cause to your smile.
During your professional cleaning, your dentist will use a combination of state-of-the-art ultrasonic devices and specialized hand tools to clean all areas of your teeth and gums. As a finishing touch, your teeth will be polished free of stains, so you leave with a dazzling, bright smile.
You should schedule regular professional cleanings every 6 months, more frequently if you have gum or periodontal disease. To find out more about professional dental cleanings and other preventive, restorative and cosmetic services, call Dr. Valentine at Eagle Creek Dentistry in Naples, FL today!