All About Those Pearly Whites

Let’s talk about your mouth. Your mouth is oft too overlooked. Sure, maybe we pay attention to our lips in the winter when they get dry and chapped, and maybe we brush our teeth at least once a day in attempt to keep them clean and white, we might even floss on a daily basis too! Unfortunately, this still is not enough. Did you know that less than half of the population of North America visits the dentist on a regular basis? Dental visits go beyond your standard teeth cleaning and actually act as both preventative measures against mouth diseases, as well as check ups for any current issues you may already have going on in your mouth right now.

Cleaning Your Teeth

Keeping your teeth clean is a paramount task when it comes to being proactive with your oral health. Your mouth is literally full of bacteria, and while some are good, a lot of them are not. Bacteria and sugars in our mouths cause the build-up of plaque and tartar. While we get the majority of this gunk off our teeth with brushing and flossing, there are still leftovers that become concrete-esque when left to set. This is what your hygienist scrapes away when you go in for your six months. Up to six months of that stuff sitting on your teeth! Can you imagine?

Checking Those Chompers

Your dentist will do a run-through of each tooth to look for cavities or caries. What really is a cavity though? We know that when we have one we have to go in to get a filling, but what are these elusive cavities and how do we get them? Cavities are literally a cavity in your tooth – a hole. These holes are happen because your tooth is decaying. That horrid plaque build up in those hard to reach spots? The bacteria creates acids and these acids degrade your teeth. When we get fillings, the dentist is drilling away all the decay and filling up the hole with a binding resin. Pretty crazy.

Gum Disease

Not only is your dentist checking your teeth when you go in for a check-up, he or she is also checking the health of your gums. We rarely think about the health of our gums, but gum health is connected to the well-being of your teeth, as well as to more serious issues going on in your body that you may not be aware of. Sometimes gums can recede, exposing the root of your teeth and creating gaps between your teeth that promote disease. Gum disease, from plaque below the gum line, can let bacteria into your bloodstream causing bone destruction. It can also be caused by underlying systemic diseases such as diabetes or other immune disorders that you may not be aware that you have.

Going to the dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up is a smart step in preventative care. Your dentist checks for cavities, diseases, and cancers, and the deep clean of your teeth decreases your chances of developing these in the future. If you are in the Hamilton area of Ontario and in need of a dentist, check out Century Stone Dentist. Your oral health is worth it.