Understanding the Importance of Dental Cleanings & Exams

Clean teeth make for a pretty smile, but they’re not crucial for your overall health, right? Well, if you read the title of this article, you might suspect the truth — they are!

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting the dentist every six months for an exam and a cleaning. Why is this the case?

Bad Teeth Means Poor Health

To be clear, when we say “bad teeth,” we mean teeth that are unhealthy. Slightly crooked teeth aren’t necessarily harmful, but cavity-ridden teeth are.

Poor oral health can lead to a host of problems, such as:

• Cardiovascular Disease: Heart disease, strokes, and clogged arteries can be aggravated by the bacteria in your mouth.
• Respiratory Infections: Bacteria from swollen gums and teeth can enter the lungs and the bloodstream, leading to respiratory infections and pneumonia.
• Pregnancy Complications: Low birth weight and premature birth have been linked to periodontitis.
• Endocarditis: Germs from your mouth can spread through your bloodstream to the lining of your heart.

In addition, poor mouth hygiene can be aggravated by conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s.

I’m Convinced! What Exactly Are Dental Exams?

At a dental exam, your dentist or dental hygienist will examine your mouth for any signs of problems or abnormalities. This may involve X-rays to look under the surface for any issues with your roots or jaw.

Catching things like infections and cavities early keeps you from experiencing more severe complications down the road.

There are a few specific things that dentists may do during your exam:

• Assess your risk of tooth decay or disease
• Check your bite alignment
• Eliminate stains or other deposits
• Show you how to clean your teeth properly

Your dentist or hygienist may also ask questions about your tooth health, including your diet, medications, and overall health.

What Are Dental Cleanings?

During a dental cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will remove built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth and around your gum line. They’ll use a small mirror and tools to remove unwanted substances physically.

This process is followed by gritty toothpaste and an electric, high-powered brush. Usually, you can choose your flavor, too! The toothpaste is abrasive, so this brushing must happen only twice a year.

Then comes the flossing. This removes any deposits between the teeth that can lead to problems and any leftover plaque and toothpaste from the previous steps.

Finally, you can rinse.

Dental Cleanings and Exams at Your Friendly Shelby Township Dentist

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist for your cleaning, then it’s time to visit Dr. Timothy Roney DDS & Associates. We make the cleaning process as quick and pleasant as possible.

Contact us immediately for a cleaning that will leave you with shiny, sparkling teeth and an exam to identify problems before they worsen!

Learn How Teeth Whitening Can Help Create a Stunning Smile

Shing! A good teeth whitening service can turn a yellowed grin into a smile of pearl. It’s a popular process, and the results can be stunning.

Ready for a Hollywood smile? Read on to find out whether teeth whitening is for you..

Why Get Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening isn’t just for the vain or wealthy, either. Severe discolorations of teeth can truly impact self-confidence for some people.

A discolored tooth isn’t necessarily unhealthy, and whitening won’t fix a tooth that needs a filling or other repair. But anyone who wants to feel confident when they grin can benefit from teeth whitening. With modern solutions, it’s more affordable than it’s ever been before!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

With a teeth whitening treatment, peroxides deliver oxygen molecules that break apart the chemical bonds that make up the stains in your teeth. Fluoride keeps the peroxide from compromising the integrity of your teeth and works to reduce sensitivity after the procedure.

Teeth whitening treatments are usually quick and minimally invasive, making getting that bright smile you’ve been looking for easy!

Where Do Teeth Discolorations Come From?

There are two typical causes for tooth discoloration:

• Extrinsic Discolorations: These are caused by external sources, such as smoking or drinking wine or coffee. Extrinsic stains only affect the surface of your teeth.
• Intrinsic Discolorations: These are stains that come from the inside out. Medications, trauma, disease, or aging can lead to intrinsically discolored teeth.

Teeth whitening treatments primarily deal with extrinsic discolorations.

Can I Do It Myself?

While many kits claim to whiten teeth on the market, home teeth whitening kits don’t do as thorough of a job as professional teeth whitening procedures.

With professional whitening, you get:

• Dental Supervision: Your dentist will be familiar with the procedure and ensure your teeth are healthy enough for whitening.
• The Strong Stuff: Over-the-counter home whitening kits don’t have the same whitening power as what dentists use.
• Quicker Results: The whitening process is immediately noticeable rather than delayed by days or weeks.

Home teeth whitening may work on some extrinsic discolorations, but it will be ineffective against intrinsic discolorations.

Are Teeth Whitening Permanent?

No, unfortunately, no whitening treatments are permanent. Professional teeth whitening can last anywhere from six months to three years, with one year typical. Because you still have to use your teeth, they will get re-stained over time. At that point, you can have them whitened again.

Trust Your Teeth Whitening to an Experienced Dentist

The team at Dr. Timothy Roney DDS & Associates has the knowledge and expertise to get you that movie star smile you’ve always wanted.

Our cosmetic dentistry procedures, including teeth whitening, can give you the self-confidence you’ve always wanted from your smile.

Don’t get stuck with discolored teeth that make you hide your mouth. If you’re ready to experience the delight of a motion picture-worthy grin, contact your trusted Shelby Township dentist today.