Have you had your teeth cleaned recently? A dental cleaning/checkup can help you keep your smile strong and healthy and reduce your risk of gum disease. If it's been a while since you've visited your Lynchburg, VA, dentist, Dr. Robert Bunn, now is the perfect time to schedule a cleaning.
4 benefits of dental cleanings and checkups
Visiting the dentist for cleanings every six months is important no matter what your age. Regular dental cleanings can help you:
- Reduce Your Cavity Risk: You may be leaving plaque behind on your teeth when you brush, particularly if parts of your teeth overlap. Plaque, a sticky film that contains bacteria, causes tooth decay. During your cleaning, every speck of plaque will be removed, which can help you avoid cavities.
- Prevent Gum Disease: Dental cleanings also remove tartar, a hard deposit that forms when plaque stays on your teeth too long. Tartar often forms at the bottom of teeth, next to the gums. If tartar isn't removed periodically, the deposit can irritate your gums and cause gum disease. Cleanings reduce your risk of the disease and can even reverse gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease.
- Keep Your Smile Attractive: Although plaque is clear, tartar looks gray or brown and can affect your appearance. If you've begun to notice tartar stains at the bottoms of your teeth, you'll be amazed at the improvement in your smile after a cleaning. Polishing, the final step in dental cleaning, gets rid of minor surface stains that can make your teeth look a little dull.
- Treat Dental Health Problems Promptly: Seeing the dentist every six months helps ensure that any oral health issues you do develop are diagnosed and treated before they can ruin your smile. If your dentist notices a cavity, signs of gum disease, or another oral health issue during your dental cleaning/checkup, he'll recommend an effective treatment that will help you protect your smile.
Do you need a dental cleaning/checkup? Reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease by scheduling a visit with your dentist in Lynchburg, VA, Dr. Bunn. Call (434) 385-7718 to make your appointment.