How Teeth Cleanings Assist in Avoiding a Cavity
Routine Professional Teeth Cleaning – Why does it matter?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away (so we’re told), but why is visiting your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning so important? Your regular dental check-up is instrumental to preventing and treating a cavity. With busy schedules and family priorities, it’s all too easy to push your dentist appointment further back, easily turning six months into years. The more frequently you’re getting teeth cleaned, the more affordable and pleasant your dentist visit will be.
What is a Cavity?
One of the primary reasons you may be searching for a “dentist near me” to get a check-up is to identify any problem teeth or cavities. Among other oral health concerns, like periodontal disease or a chipped tooth, cavities are some of the most common tooth ailments that can often go undetected. A cavity in your tooth is almost impossible to see with the naked eye at home, so it’s important to visit your dentist for a regular teeth cleaning and dental checkup to ensure your teeth are in tip-top shape.
Cavities, otherwise singularly known as a cavity tooth, are caused when there is some type of destruction of the tooth’s enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of your teeth. A cavity tooth is formed when plaque, a film of bacteria, sticks on your teeth and the acidity breaks down tooth enamel over time, leaving a little hole, or cavity, on your tooth. Every time you consume food or a drink that contain sugars, bacteria in plaque will produce this kind of acid. This makes routine teeth cleaning by a local Bright Now dentist necessary to remove hardened plaque.
Cavities in Children
Children can often be susceptible to cavities because of their sugary diets and immature dental care habits. There’s nothing inherently wrong with having a sweet tooth, but if sugars are left on a child’s teeth for prolonged periods of time, they’re more susceptible to cavity formation. A cavity in a child’s tooth may later impact their permanent teeth as they are forming at the root. Teaching kids to brush teeth properly, eating healthy, and routinely receiving professional teeth cleanings are ways a dentist may encourage strong oral care for children. Dental checkups will help in addressing any cavities that form, as well as guide parents and children on proper techniques to prevent future ones from forming.
Cavities in Adults
Children are the most prone to having cavities; however, several factors can leave adults vulnerable as well. Without frequent teeth cleanings and dental check-ups, your smile is at risk of periodontal disease. This, combined with receding gums, can expose tooth roots to plaque which increases the likelihood of a cavity occurring in a tooth. Because the roots of your teeth are much softer than enamel, there is a greater risk of cavities forming there when exposed to plaque. When these tooth roots are exposed, and plaque isn’t being removed consistently or properly through professional teeth cleaning, cavities find it much easier to form.
If you are affected by crowded or crooked teeth, you may be at an elevated risk of getting a cavity. Without proper removal of plaque in between teeth, either due to a lack of flossing or crowding, plaque can collect and form cavities in these untouched areas. This is especially true when fillings are particularly old, and may have weakened or fractured over time. These types of cracks or margins allow a tooth cavity to form when bacteria has the opportunity to accumulate in such tiny crevices. Because these areas in your teeth are so small, sometimes brushing and flossing aren’t always enough to defend your teeth against a cavity. Find a dentist near you to schedule a professional cleaning with our Bright Now staff!
Cavity Prevention Through Teeth Cleaning
There are several things you can do at home to aid your oral health and make your next dental checkup something to look forward to! These routine behaviors can help you get in the habit of practicing good oral health and preventing a cavity. When combined with a teeth cleaning every six months by our Bright Now dentists, you’re setting yourself up for smiling success.
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Cleaning your teeth after every meal is the best way to stave off plaque from forming and creating a cavity tooth. However, brushing after every meal isn’t always possible, which is why most dentists will recommend brushing at least twice a day. You should follow with floss or an interdental cleaner to reach any plaque that may have built up in between your teeth.
- Eat a well balanced meal, and limit snacking. Bacteria produces harmful acids in the mouth every time you consume food or beverages other than water. This process is how cavities are formed. When you limit frequent snacking, it helps prevent bacteria from consistently creating acid. An alternative option is to eat healthy foods for your teeth like fresh fruits and vegetables. There’s also many foods that prevent cavities like unsweetened coffee and tea to help wash away food particles.
- Consider fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a mineral that is often found in tap water that remineralizes your teeth. A cavity tooth is formed when the enamel has been demineralized and broken down due to acid on the tooth. Fluoride is able to remineralize the enamel, and aid in the prevention of cavity formation. Periodic fluoride treatments can be used to strengthen the enamel on your teeth and are part of the services we offer at Bright Now Dental. If your risk of tooth decay is very high, your dentist may also recommend trays with prescription fluoride at your next check-up.
- Visit your dentist regularly. With a routine teeth cleaning and dental check-up, your dentist is able to best remove plaque and check for any cavities forming. Even the best oral hygiene practices can’t compare to having a professional teeth cleaning. There is a Bright Now dentist office near you and we make it easy to book appointments online!
Dental Checkups to Prevent Cavities
When searching a “dentist near me”, consider a practice that offers quality care you and your family can look forward to. At Bright Now Dental, we make sure your next dental checkup is comfortable and professional. Our expert staff and unmatched technology remove plaque you may not be able to reach, and ensures you’re cavity-free until your next visit. Schedule a checkup or cleaning appointment by phone (1-844-400-7645) before existing plaque hardens over time, making it almost impossible to remove at home. When plaque hardens, it calcifies into tartar and cannot be effectively removed with brushing or flossing alone. Your dentist or pediatric dentist will use special instruments to remove this build-up during a teeth cleaning.
Schedule Your Teeth Cleaning Today
If you haven’t visited your local dentist for a dental check-up in a while, or simply reading this has got you thinking about your teeth again, our team at Bright Now Dental is ready to assist! We have a professional team that offers routine teeth cleanings and dental checkups to ensure your teeth are cavity free. With a wide range of dental services, we’re confident that you’ll leave with a sparkling smile and a superior cleaning that will protect you from a cavity until your next visit. We look forward to seeing you soon!
