Today’s toothbrushes feature ergonomic designs for hard-to-reach places and motors that do the manual work for you. Toothpaste contains ingredients like fluoride and baking soda that provide an extra kick to your hygiene routine’s cleaning abilities. Yet, the most advanced hygiene tools on the market are no substitute for the professional maintenance and care that you receive at your regularly scheduled dental checkup and cleaning. The idea to skip your dental exam can be tempting, especially when you strictly adhere to your dental hygiene routine and your teeth are bright and clean. Your Astoria dentist, Dr. Leibowitz, explains why you should reign in that temptation for the good of your oral health.
A Different Kind of Spring Cleaning
Brushing and flossing your teeth is like dusting and sweeping your house; doing it every day helps prevent the excessive buildup of plaque on and between your teeth to keep your mouth clean and tidy. Instead of dust mites, however, dental plaque is made of hundreds of different kinds of oral bacteria that can threaten the sanctity of your oral health. If you miss a spot, you can risk more than a dirty corner; after 48 hours, plaque hardens into tartar, which is too stubborn for a toothbrush to remove (even a motorized one).
The Value of a Clean Mouth
The fact that dental plaque is a mass of germs can be unsettling in its own right, but the importance of controlling it lies in what these microbes can do to your oral tissues. Some of them consume sugar and convert it into acid that paves the way for tooth decay, while other pathogens can irritate your gums and cause them to swell and bleed, marking the beginning of gum disease. At your professional dental cleaning, one of our talented and friendly hygienists will thoroughly clear away plaque and tartar, even underneath your gum line, to help increase your chances of avoiding dental diseases.
Thorough Dental Cleanings with Your Astoria Dentist
If you’d like to learn more about the value of a dental cleaning, or if it’s been awhile since your last one, call us immediately to schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Leibowitz. You can contact our Astoria dentist office by calling (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
