As the holidays approach, complete with their deliciously rich foods and desserts, our dentist, Dr. Tiffany K. Shields, would like to remind you to schedule your annual dental exam to have your teeth cleaned and the health of your mouth examined.

Benefits of Annual Dental Cleanings

Individuals should schedule teeth cleanings at least once a year along with practicing good oral hygiene in order to maintain gum and tooth health and to prevent gum disease.

Removes Plaque and Tartar

Every time you eat, food particles are left on the teeth. Within a short period of time, those food particles become plaque, which is a sticky substance that has no color. Bacteria love plaque, and if it isn’t removed, bacteria can breed in your mouth. If the plaque is left on your teeth for an extended period of time, it can harden, forming tartar, which must be removed via a professional dental cleaning.

Helps Prevent Gum Disease

If tartar isn’t regularly cleaned from below the gum line, it can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is characterized by bleeding and swollen gums. Your gums may also appear abnormally red. If the gingivitis isn’t treated, it can progress to periodontal disease, which causes pockets to form between the tooth and the gum. This condition can lead to receding gums and bone loss. Getting regular cleanings helps ensure that all of the plaque and especially tartar are removed from your teeth and gums, which reduces your risk of developing gum disease.

Get Timely Treatment for Cavities and Other Oral Health Issues

Regular checkups and dental cleanings can help identify problems in your mouth, like cavities and crooked or chipped teeth, before they become serious. Once the oral health problems are diagnosed, they can be treated so that you can continue to enjoy a healthy mouth.

Lower Risk Factors for Some Chronic Diseases

Gum disease has been linked to a variety of chronic conditions. It is believed that excess bacteria in the mouth and having bad oral health can increase the risk factors for high blood pressure and dementia as well as other chronic conditions. Certain diseases, like diabetes, can also negatively affect your oral health, even if you do not know you have the condition.

Get a Whiter Smile

Having your teeth regularly cleaned removes stains and whitens your smile. The service also often includes polishing, which helps increase the slickness of your teeth in order to prevent food from sticking to them for a short amount of time after your professional dental cleaning.

Ask About Other Dental Services

During your dental exam, you can also ask questions about your oral health and additional services that the dentist provides. For example, if you want to dramatically whiten your teeth, you may want additional information on in-office and/or at-home whitening treatments or dental veneers. If your teeth are slightly crooked or you continuously bite the sides of your mouth when you eat, you may be interested in clear braces to help straighten and align your teeth.

Dental Cleanings with Our Dentist in Jacksonville

Annual dental cleanings with our dentist in Jacksonville can help prevent tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease. Each dental cleaning at our office includes a complete examination of your mouth that includes x-rays and checking the health of your teeth, gums, and tongue. If any problems are found, our dentists will explain them to you and recommend the appropriate treatments to help restore your oral health.

During your dental cleaning, our dentist will scrape all the plaque and tartar from your teeth and polish your teeth to reduce the chances of food particles sticking to them. If it’s been a while since your last visit or if you are showing signs of gum disease, our dentist may recommend a deep cleaning to clear bacteria from pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums and follow-up appointments to monitor the condition.

To schedule your annual dental exam, call us at 904-731-0777. We can work with your schedule.