Is a preventive care dental visit on your to-do list? Preventive care is just as important for your smile as it is for your home and car. In fact, checkups provided by your Grand Rapids, MI, dentist, Dr. Robert Dame, are the key to protecting your oral health.
Preventive care reduces your tooth decay and gum disease risk
Reducing your risk of cavities starts with preventive care visits every six months. During your visit to the Grand Rapids dental office, plaque and tartar will be removed from your teeth.
Plaque is the clear, sticky substance that coats your teeth with bacteria. Foods that contain sugars or carbohydrates combine with bacteria to trigger a chemical reaction that produces acids. These acids attack your tooth enamel, causing cavities. Although brushing removes plaque, it can linger in hard-to-reach places in your mouth. Dental cleanings remove plaque before it can damage your teeth.
Cleanings also get rid of tartar, the hard brownish substance that tends to appear at the bottoms of teeth or in between them. Plaque and tartar can be a factor in gum disease and may irritate or inflame your sensitive gum tissue. Removing tartar is a simple way to protect your gums.
Regular visits help your dentist identify oral health problems
During your preventive care visit your dentist:
- Looks for signs of tooth decay and gum disease
- Checks fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, and other restorations for signs of wear or damage
- Spots other signs of trouble, such as dying tooth roots, receding gums, or brittle teeth
- Performs an oral cancer screening of your mouth, jaw, neck, lips, tongue, and mouth
- Looks for signs of general health problems that may appear in the mouth.
If your dentist notices any oral health problems, he'll recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Promptly treating cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues can help you avoid more serious problems in the future.
Need dental care? Give us a call
Don't neglect your smile! Schedule a preventive care visit with your dentist in Grand Rapids, MI, Dr. Dame, by calling (616) 361-7265.