Dental health is crucial to your overall health. Recent studies have shown a connection between infections in your mouth, such as gum or tooth infections, and their impact on other aspects of your body. It's been found that unhealthy gums are a risk factor for conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, various types of cancers, and low birthweight babies. Numerous medical problems can be exacerbated by dental issues.
One of the best ways to prevent medical concerns is to maintain excellent dental health, eliminating that risk factor. A healthy dental routine includes flossing daily, brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, and being mindful of foods that can cause cavities. Foods that are very acidic, like sodas, or sugary foods like candy, and even carbohydrate-rich foods like bread and crackers, can lead to cavities. We do need to consume these foods, and sometimes you want to indulge in candy, which is okay.
However, the key is how long your teeth are exposed to these substances. Are you sipping soda all day long or coffee with sugar? If you drink a soda quickly, it won't have much impact on your dental health. But if you sip it throughout the day, your teeth are constantly exposed to that acidic, sugary drink, which can be harmful. Being aware of this is crucial.
Of course, visiting the dentist every six months is super important. Here at Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, the hygienist will clean your teeth to ensure your gums are in excellent shape. We'll also check for any potential problems. Typically, once a year, we'll take X-rays to check for cavities between your teeth. We'll examine your teeth, look for gum disease, and perform an oral cancer screening to ensure everything is good in your mouth. We do all these things to address any minor problems before they become major issues.
What are the most common dental problems?
Some of the most common dental problems include gum disease, which affects the skin around your teeth that can become infected. A large percentage of the population has some form of gum disease.
Another significant issue is dental caries, commonly known as cavities, where a hole forms in your tooth and continues to expand due to bacteria in the mouth producing acid that dissolves the tooth.
Other concerns include oral cancer and acclusal disease. Some people wear their teeth down by clenching and grinding, which can cause issues with their teeth and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or the muscles used. Some individuals are missing teeth due to various reasons, such as being born without certain teeth or losing them due to cavities or gum disease. These are the issues we address when you visit the dentist.
What is involved in a full dental examination?
A full dental examination depends slightly on the individual, but typically we start by taking X-rays of your mouth. We'll also examine the gums and assess their health, along with the health of the teeth and surrounding areas. This process usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. During your first visit, if appropriate, we also perform a cleaning. Generally, a thorough exam takes around 30 minutes.
How often should I visit the dentist?
On average, most people should visit the dentist every six months. During your visit, you'll see the hygienist for teeth cleaning, and one of the doctors will examine your mouth to ensure no issues are present. We recommend doing this every six months. Typically, we conduct a radiographic exam, involving X-rays to check between the teeth, once a year. For those with gum disease, we might suggest more frequent visits, such as every 3 to 4 months.
What is routine dental cleaning like at Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center?
Routine dental cleaning is for individuals without periodontitis, which is a separate topic we'll discuss another time. For typical cases with minor plaque or tartar buildup, the hygienist will clean these deposits. They use hand scalers and possibly an ultrasonic scaler, which vibrates rapidly to remove deposits. They polish your teeth for a squeaky clean finish and often perform a fluoride treatment to help prevent cavities.
What are best practices for keeping healthy teeth?
The best practices for maintaining healthy teeth include daily flossing, brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, and visiting the dentist every six months. It's crucial to address dental problems when they are small, as they are easier and less expensive to fix at that stage.
Are dental services painful?
Typically, dental services are not painful. At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, we have excellent, gentle hygienists. They perform X-rays and clean your teeth. If dental work is needed, anesthesia may be required, which involves a shot. However, for those who find dental visits challenging, we offer various solutions. We have many patients with dental phobia, and options like laughing gas can help. We offer what we call a "chill pill" to calm patients, and for those who strongly dislike dental work, we often provide sedation during procedures. This is a great option at our office.
If you’re looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (480) 888-8123 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!