Why Schedule Twice-Yearly Appointments With Dr. Gropp?
When it comes to our health, we often focus on exercising, healthy eating habits, and getting enough sleep. However, one crucial aspect of health care that’s frequently overlooked is routine dental care. Visiting our Northridge dentist, Dr. Kevin Gropp, regularly for cleanings and checkups is vital for maintaining great oral and overall health.
Benefits of Routine Cleanings
Most dentists recommend a professional cleaning every six months. During a routine cleaning appointment, the dental hygienist will remove any built-up plaque and tartar above and below the gum line that daily brushing and flossing at home might have missed.
Plaque is a sticky, bacteria-filled film that coats the teeth, while tartar is hardened plaque that bonds to the teeth. Both can lead to tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Professional cleaning removes these disease-causing substances from areas you can’t reach with a toothbrush or floss on your own. A clean, plaque-free mouth leads to healthier teeth and gums.
Detecting Problems Early
In addition to a thorough cleaning, a routine dental visit involves a complete exam of all your teeth and surrounding soft tissues. The dentist will carefully check for visual signs of damage, decay, infection, or cancer that you may have missed on your own.
Early detection of potential issues like cavities, chipped teeth, gum disease, or oral cancer greatly increases the chances of addressing them before they become bigger, more painful problems. Routine dental visits allow dentists to spot and monitor conditions so they can take action before a procedure like a root canal or tooth extraction is necessary. Preventive care is far preferable to reactive treatment.
Maintaining a Healthy Smile
Regular dental cleanings and checkups are essential for a bright, confident smile. Over time, stained or discolored teeth can start to look dull. Professional cleaning removes surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco use. The dentist can also polish away the tough buildup that regular brushing leaves behind. Polishing and removing stains restores natural whiteness and luster.
Additionally, the dentist can evaluate the health of the gums during a routine visit. Inflammation due to poor brushing or gum disease can cause gums to look red and swollen. Getting this under control leads to healthy pink gums that frame the teeth attractively.
Keeping Bad Breath at Bay
Bad breath, or halitosis, is most often caused by bacteria buildup on the teeth and tongue. Even if you brush thoroughly at home, only professional dental cleaning can remove the odiferous bacteria from deep within the pores of the tongue.
The dentist or hygienist uses a tongue scraper for a deep cleaning that banishes bad breath. In addition, hardened plaque and tartar on the teeth trap food particles that contribute to foul odor. A routine dental visit eliminates these odor sources and freshens breath.
Evaluating Risk for Tooth Grinding and TMJ
Teeth grinding (bruxism) and TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders) can lead to complications like worn enamel, chipped or cracked teeth, and jaw pain. The dentist routinely checks for early signs of these issues during dental visits.
Smooth, glossy tooth surfaces or complaints of soreness when chewing can indicate potential problems before severe damage is done. Dr. Gropp can fit you with a mouth guard for nighttime teeth grinding or refer you to a TMJ specialist. Early intervention can help minimize complications.
Improving Overall Health
While good oral hygiene prevents dental disease, routine visits to the dentist can end up improving total body health as well. The dentist can screen for signs of serious systemic conditions that produce symptoms in the mouth like diabetes, leukemia, heart disease, and kidney disease. Gum disease has also been linked to increased risks of heart attack and stroke. Treating gum inflammation and keeping the mouth free of bacteria benefits the whole body.
Don’t Skip Your Routine Cleanings — Call Dr. Gropp Today!
While it’s tempting to cut corners on health expenses, routine dental cleanings and checkups with our Northridge dentist should remain high priorities. Regular professional care from Dr. Gropp removes harmful oral bacteria, detects the early stages of diseases, reverses cosmetic damage, monitors for issues like bruxism, and improves systemic health. Twice-yearly dental visits take only a small time investment but bring huge preventive benefits. Protecting your smile through a commitment to regular dental care will pay dividends for a lifetime of health.