Understanding the Importance of Dental Cleanings & Exams

Clean teeth make for a pretty smile, but surely, they’re not important 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 unhealthy, 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 make their way to the lungs and then the bloodstream, leading to respiratory infections and even 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 properly clean your teeth

Your dentist or hygienist may also ask questions directly related to your tooth health, including questions about 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 physically remove the unwanted substances.

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 particular brushing needs to happen only twice a year.

Then comes the flossing. This gets rid of any deposits between the teeth that can lead to problems, as well as 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.

For a cleaning that will leave you with shiny, sparkling teeth and an exam that will identify problems before they get worse, contact us right away!

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 an unhealthy tooth and whitening won’t fix a tooth that’s in need of 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 it easy to get that bright smile you’ve been looking for!

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 just plain aging can lead to intrinsically discolored teeth.

Teeth whitening treatments primarily deal with extrinsic discolorations.

Can I Do It Myself?

While there are lots of kits that claim to whiten teeth on the market, home teeth whitening kits just 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 make sure 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 they will be ineffective against intrinsic discolorations.

Is 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 being 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.

Recommended Criteria for When Looking for a New Family Dentist

You don’t want to trust your family’s teeth to just anybody. Choosing a family dentist often involves spending a lot of time on Google or Yelp, reading through reviews, asking friends and family — and then moving to a town with better dentists.

Okay, maybe not that last one! You can find a great dentist near you if you just look for the right criteria.

Great Communication

A family dentist should communicate well. They don’t have to be Toastmasters, but they should be able to clearly explain procedures and processes with a good bedside manner.

Compassion and knowledge aren’t mutually exclusive. If a dentist uses a lot of technical dental jargon or makes you feel guilty for needing care, then look elsewhere.

They Stay on Top of the Latest Tech

Oral hygiene has changed a lot over the years, and your dentist should keep pace. Tools and techniques are constantly evolving. If your dentist isn’t familiar with the latest innovations that make dental care comfortable and pain-free, you may want to reschedule your root canal!

Check out reviews from past patients about the care they received and make sure it’s in line with current industry standards. There’s no reason to accept old methods that have been exchanged for better ones.

Solid Qualifications

Find out where the dentist graduated from and what certifications they have. Dentists specialize in different areas. Perhaps you and your family will need help from a dentist with a particular discipline.

What Services Do They Offer?

General dentistry might be all you need. But… what if you need teeth whitening? Or emergency dentistry? A solid family dentist should be able to provide effective care for a variety of needs. They should be able to work with patients of different ages, too.

If they can’t provide the services you desire, at the very least, they should be able to give you an effective referral for specialty services.

Can They Take Your Insurance?

Having good dental insurance won’t mean much if your dentist doesn’t accept your coverage. Talk to your insurance provider or employer to find out which dental procedures are covered and then find a family dentist who takes that insurance.

If you find a dentist you love and can’t bear the thought of going to anyone else, then find out whether they take payment plans. Even if your current insurance provider doesn’t offer dental coverage for your favorite dentist, payment plans can help to spread out the costs of your dental care.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing a family dentist sometimes comes down to, “Where do you live?” If you’re looking for the right Shelby Township dentist, talk to Dr. Timothy Roney DDS & Associates!

We do far more than general dentistry with services like cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry, Invisalign braces, and more. As for our communication and bedside manner? Just check out our testimonials to see what our clients say about us. Your family deserves the best — and that’s what we provide!