14 Feb 3 Signs You’re Due for a Cleaning
A thorough professional cleaning of your teeth is one of the most important components of your biannual dental checkups. In a perfect world, we would all see our dentists every six months as recommended by the ADA. Alas, our world is far from perfect! If it’s been more than six months since your last dental cleaning it’s probably high time to schedule an appointment. Here are 5 signs you’re due for a cleaning.
1. Your Gums Are Swollen? You’re Due for A Cleaning
Swollen gums are irritating, painful and tend to bleed when you brush or floss. If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely due for a cleaning. Your guns are a sensitive area of your mouth. When bacteria builds and plaque accumulates, you develop tartar. Your gums become inflamed and may even be painful. A buildup of tartar is the path to gum disease, and tartar isn’t something you can really get rid of through home dental care.
Schedule that overdue dental cleaning now. Ignoring inflammation of your gums can lead to infection, tooth decay, bone loss and loss of your teeth.
2. You Have Noticeable Signs of Tooth Decay
Bacteria, plaque and tartar are the enemies of your teeth. They build up and cause tooth decay and gum disease. Daily brushing (the right way!) and flossing help control the buildup, but no amount of brushing keeps your teeth completely free from the threat of bacteria, plaque and tartar. Skip your cleaning and you open the door for tooth decay.
Some of the signs of tooth decay are:
- Pain
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Visible discoloration
Tartar and stains or spots on the surface of your teeth are a sign of early tooth decay. Schedule a professional cleaning and checkup to avoid a more serious issue down the road.
3. You Have Bad Breath
Do you notice people back away when speaking with you? Are you constantly popping breath mints but your mouth doesn’t “feel” clean? We’re not just talking about the garlic dressing on your salad or the grande latte you just enjoyed. You likely have bad breath as a result of bacterial buildup, plaque and tartar. If your dental hygiene isn’t thorough enough, you may have food particles trapped between your teeth, the start of tooth decay or the beginning of gum disease. Professional dental cleaning should be included as part of your dental hygiene routine as it’s the most effective way to remove those things that are causing chronic halitosis.
At Kozlow & Rowell, we provide preventative dental care. Your dental health is our primary concern, and staying on top of your care prevents painful and costly invasive dental treatments. If you believe you’re due for a cleaning, contact Kozlow & Rowell Dentistry today.
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