The general rule for keeping your smile healthy and preventing common dental diseases is to stick to a routine of excellent hygiene and regular checkup and cleaning appointments. The act of cleaning your teeth every day at home and every few months at your dentist’s office prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth from lingering. If they do, then the bacteria that make up these substances will have time to attack your teeth and gums, causing tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
What Dangers Do Plaque and Tartar Pose?
At any given moment, your mouth hosts several hundred different kinds of bacteria. The amount of these microbes depends on how effective your oral hygiene routine is. When they accumulate, oral bacteria form plaque and stick to your teeth and gums in large numbers. As they metabolize nutrients from your meals and beverages, they produce harmful substances like acids and toxins that directly erode your tooth structure and gums.
Why Missing an Appointment Matters
Tartar, which is calcified plaque, can’t be removed with your toothbrush and floss, so professional cleanings with your dentist or hygienist at least twice a year are also essential. Barring any existing dental health issues, you should schedule a checkup and cleaning at least once every six months for optimal results. If you miss an appointment, then the tartar that has formed will continue to grow and become an even bigger threat to your oral health, and you may need more involved restorative treatment by the time you do schedule your next visit.
Schedule Your Next Dental Checkup with Us
Routine dental checkups and cleanings only work if you stick to a schedule. If you skip even a single appointment, then you can place your teeth and gums at risk. To learn more, schedule an appointment or initial consultation by calling Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI today at (248) 852-1820.
