The Importance of Dental Cleanings

Are you curious to know why everyone needs to visit the dentist every six months?

We know that seeing the dentist isn’t high on your list of fun things to do. In fact, if given the choice between going to the dentist or walking five miles, 26 percent of Americans surveyed would rather lace up those sneakers. We don’t take is personally; however, these routine dental checkups protect your health and allow our Anchorage, AK, dentist, Dr. James Driskell, to provide you with the general dentistry you need to maintain a healthy smile.

If you’re thinking of skipping out on your next dental cleaning, here’s why you shouldn’t,

We may be able to reverse decay and gum disease

Decay and gum disease are two of the common problems we see here at our Anchorage, AK, dental practice. The most frustrating thing is that with proper home care and regular general dentistry checkups, we could have prevented these problems altogether. This is why you should come to our office twice a year.

If minor decay is detected, we can recommend certain products and oral care modifications that could actually re-mineralize enamel and may even prevent decay from getting worse or requiring a filling.

The same goes for gum disease. When detected early one when it’s simply gingivitis, we can easily provide you with recommendations and advice for how to reverse this inflammatory disease through more meticulous at-home care.

We can remove plaque and tartar buildup

Plaque is that sticky film that develops on teeth throughout the day that can wear away tooth enamel and lead to decay. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for plaque that’s left behind to harden into plaque.

So, if you fell asleep before you could brush your teeth you will most likely wake up with tartar (hardened plaque) on your teeth, which your toothbrush can’t remove. Luckily, we have the tools to remove both plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach spots during your six-month cleanings to reduce your risk for cavities and gum disease.

We can catch oral cancer early

Most people don’t notice the subtle changes that can occur as a result of oral cancer. Of course, time is of the essence when it comes to diagnosing and treating oral cancer. This is why it’s important that you visit the dentist every six months (if you’re a smoker or used to be a smoker, you may want to come in more often).

We are trained to quickly spot sores, red patches, and other changes in the appearance of the gums and soft tissue that could signal early warning signs of oral cancer.

When was the last time you visited your Anchorage, AK dentist for general dentistry? If it’s been more than six months, then it’s time to give Anchorage Dental Center a call at (907) 278-2521 to schedule your next checkup.