This article provides an overview of a professional oral cleaning
and what the importance of receiving such preventative
healthcare is.
Breaking news from Colorado dentists: “You don’t actually have to brush all of
your teeth, just the ones you want to keep!”
Unfortunately, health tends to be one of those things we take for granted. In our youth,
we indulge our whims freely without much thought of consequences. It is only as we get
older that the first signs of aging remind us that we are indeed mortal and need to look
after ourselves if we are to lead a long and healthy life. Your teeth and gums are an
integral part of what makes your smile beautiful, say Colorado dentists, Dr. Morgan
and Dr. Rogers, which in turn plays a fundamental role in
attraction. And yet, the maintenance of proper oral health
and hygiene is, in most cases, neglected. You should not only
be brushing and flossing every single day, say Colorado
dentists; you should also be coming in for professional
examinations and cleanings every six months. In this article,
we shall be explaining what ‘prophylaxis’ is and the
importance it plays in preserving a healthy and youthful
smile and in preventing the need for implant teeth.
Colorado Dentists: About Prophylaxis
‘Prophylaxis’ is really the technical term for routine cleanings that are carried out by
dental hygienists or Colorado dentists. These sessions are primarily designed to
remove accumulations and deposits of harmful oral bacteria, otherwise known as
plaque and tartar, from the surface of the teeth. Why is this necessary when a
toothbrush is designed to do exactly the same thing? The important difference between
home oral hygiene routine and prophylaxis is that the latter is thorough in its removal
of bacteria. The bottom line, explains Colorado dentists, is that brushing and flossing
only goes so far in combating the bacteria that cause oral ailments such as gingivitis and
periodontal (gum) disease; ailments that in turn cause tooth loss and the need for
implant teeth. A professional teeth cleaning removes soft and hard deposits of bacteria
(plaque and tartar respectively) beneath the gum line and between the teeth before it
has a chance to cause infection. A professional cleaning also effectively treats
inflammation, pain-free, with the use of an ultrasonic instrument.
Colorado Dentists: What You Can Expect from a Professional Clean
Beyond the thorough removal of bacteria from those hard-to-reach places in the mouth,
Colorado dentists also strive to send patients home with a more sophisticated
understanding of what it takes to preserve great oral health and avoid ever needing
implant teeth. There are three fundamental components to this:
1. Home oral hygiene: Your session in the dentist’s chair will include instructions
on how to brush and floss properly.
2. Nutritional analysis: Your diet is pivotal to your general and oral health. With
advice from Colorado dentists, you can change the eating habits that could lead
to the early demise of your teeth, which would see you requiring the placement
of implant teeth!
3. Risk assessment: Your risk for gum disease and cavities will also be assessed.
Certain medications, lifestyle habits and even your medical history can heavily
influence your risk of oral infection, disease and tooth loss. Even pregnancy and
menopause render women more susceptible to oral infection, say Colorado
dentists. By understanding the risks, you can take the necessary precautions to
prevent infection, tooth loss and the need for implant teeth.
A prophylaxis may also include a fluoride varnish, which is highly
effective in preventing decay in both children and adults, say
Colorado dentists. It may also include the placement of dental
seals; strong tooth-colored, plastic cement in regions of the tooth
crown that contain deep, but natural fissures and creases, such as
in chewing surface of the molars. This prevents bacteria from
establishing a foothold in these hard-to-reach places. In
conjunction with a thorough home oral hygiene routine, these
measures can keep your teeth and gums in excellent lifelong condition, say Colorado
dentists, Dr. Morgan and Dr. Rogers!