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Clean for Spring: Benefits of a Healthy Smile

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Spring is a time when most of us try to clean and freshen up our homes, but why not get in the spirit of making sure your mouth is clean, too? At Stonebrook Family Dental, we recommend deep cleaning your smile for spring. Here’s how you can achieve a fresh, healthy smile! 

Dental Visits for a Healthy Smile

Do you visit the dentist every six months? If you answered no, this article is for you. Dental visits are an important part in maintaining a healthy smile. At your regular checkups, Dr. Kevin Varley and our team will determine the status of your overall health by examining your gums, head, neck, and overall mouth for signs of oral cancer and other abnormalities. 

Further, regular dental appointments will help keep plaque and tartar at bay. Plaque and tartar can build up in a short amount of time — especially if you aren’t properly caring for your teeth at home. Oral-B explains that having your teeth cleaned at the dentist will help you maintain oral health at home between visits by removing plaque. If not removed, plaque can harden teeth, irritating gum tissue and could lead to gum disease and other serious issues. Oral-B explains what the examination will look like:

For the Head and Neck

  • An examination of the face
  • Looking at the neck
  • Checking lymph nodes
  • Examining the lower jaw joints 

For the Mouth

  • Examination of the gums, looking for signs of gum disease
  • Checking for loose teeth
  • Examining the tissues inside of the mouth
  • Looking at the tongue
  • Checking your bite
  • Looking for visual evidence of tooth decay
  • Searching for broken teeth or damaged fillings
  • Looking for changes in gums 
  • Evaluating the dental appliances you might have
  • Checking the contact between your teeth
  • Taking X-Rays

The Cleaning

  • The dentist will check the cleanliness of your teeth and gums
  • Plaque and tartar will be removed 
  • Teeth will be polished
  • Flossing between your teeth
  • Reviewing recommended brushing and flossing techniques 

Once your appointment is complete, our team will go over any recommendations that you should consider implementing going forward. If you had any signs of dental health problems, we might recommend that you come back to see us sooner, or have a follow up appointment soon to correct the issue. 

Healthy Smiles at Home

Once you’re home, the real work starts to maintain your oral health. You should have a dental hygiene routine that you follow each day. However, the important part is that you are consistent with it. Our team recommends that your at-home routine looks like:

  • Brushing your teeth in the morning and at night — two minutes each time. 
  • Flossing your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food from between the teeth. 
  • Using a mouthwash to help coat your teeth and fight gum disease, decay, and more. 
  • Eating a well-rounded diet and limiting sweet and acidic foods and beverages. 
  • Drinking more water and staying hydrated properly each day. 
  • Seeing Dr. Varley every six months or as recommended after your first visit. 

Risks of Poor Oral Hygiene

Dental wellness is an important part of your overall health. When you don’t take proper care of your teeth, it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other overall health conditions — like heart disease and diabetes. 

Healthline explains that poor dental health can lead to a number of different symptoms, including;

  • Ulcers, sores, and tender areas in the mouth that don’t go away within a couple of weeks
  • Bleeding or swollen gums after brushing and/or flossing
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and beverages
  • Pain or toothache 
  • Loose teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Pain with chewing or biting
  • Swelling of the face and cheek
  • Clicking of the jaw
  • Cracked or broken teeth
  • Frequent dry mouth 

These symptoms can cause costly and painful dental health conditions if not treated early. 

Get a Healthy Smile with Stonebrook Family Dental

Start spring with a clean smile by making an appointment to come see Dr. Varley and our time at Stonebrook Family Dental. Whether you’ve been to the dentist six months ago or it has been years, we are here no matter your current dental health status. When you come to our office, you come family. Our friendly staff is eager to help you with your dental wellness goals. Located conveniently in Aurora, CO we provide family, cosmetic, and implant dentistry in a family-friendly atmosphere. We proudly offer evening and Saturday hours to provide you with dental care at a time that is convenient for you. We’ll see you soon! 

 

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