Spring Cleaning for Your Teeth

Even though you sweep, mop, and wipe down your house every day, it can still benefit from a more comprehensive cleaning (spring cleaning!) every once in a while. Likewise, brushing your teeth every day keeps them reasonably clean, but you can’t effectively prevent dental health issues without periodic professional care. As a vital part of a good dental hygiene routine, professional exams and teeth cleaningappointment are like hiring professionals to do your spring cleaning for you. 

Dental plaque is the “dirt and dust” that gathers on your teeth (actually, it’s a biofilm made from bacteria and food particles), and your toothbrush and floss are your broom and duster. Clever though the similarities are, there are significant difference between the dirt on your floors and the plaque on your teeth. For instance, if you leave plaque alone, it will harden into tartar, which you can’t remove with toothpaste and water. Another difference is that, while accumulated dirt might gross you out, accumulated bacterial plaque can infect to your teeth and gums if not removed promptly.

Experts have identified close to 1,000 different kinds of bacteria in the human mouth, and there are many more that have yet to be classified. Of those that are known, most oral bacteria are harmless, but a few generate toxins that attack your gums, and acids that destroy your teeth’s protective enamel. The substances they produce aren’t much of a threat when you can control the bacteria population in your mouth. However, once plaque becomes tartar, the bacteria it protects can remain in your mouth, and their chronic presence can lead to destructive gum disease and tooth decay.

A dental checkup and teeth cleaning visit comprises two vital aspects; thorough cleaning and comprehensive examination. The earliest signs of cavity and gingivitis development are often unnoticeable to the naked eye. Using advanced diagnostic equipment, like digital X-rays, Dr. Smith can check for inconspicuous symptoms and intervene with a preventive treatment, if necessary. Afterwards, one of our talented dental hygienists will carefully clean the plaque and tartar from every surface of your teeth, including just underneath your gum line, if necessary.

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.