Why Dental Cleanings are Crucial For Your Health

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Brushing and flossing are fundamental daily routines that we are all aware of, but this may not be enough throughout your life to prevent cavities and other oral diseases.

The team at Progressive Health Dental of Turlock, CA, is proud to serve the local community with outstanding dental care services, including regular dental cleanings, which is the first line of defense against more serious issues.

What’s Included in a Dental Cleaning?

Everyone should make dental cleanings part of their routine. A dental hygienist will get the spots that are hard to reach during brushing and flossing. The hygienist will use a pick and water jet and end with a dental polish to prevent plaque and bacteria until your next cleaning. Most commonly, cleanings are necessary every 4-6 months, depending on your needs and oral care habits.

Why Do I Need Regular Dental Cleanings?

Clean and shiny teeth aren’t the only benefit of dental cleanings. Here are some essential advantages of getting consistent quality and professional care:

Stop Cavities and Gum Disease

The sticky film you find on (and in between) your teeth is plaque, a bacterium. When plaque hardens, it turns into tartar, negatively affecting your health. Dental cleanings will remove all plaque and tartar you may have missed – meaning your chances of cavities and gingivitis are significantly reduced.

Early Warning System

Dental hygienists will sometimes call the dentist in to quickly check your oral health each time you go. This can help them identify minor issues, such as improper flossing, but could also catch cavities and some infections, which could be prevented early with proper care.

Controls Bad Breath

Dental cleanings can remove spots on your teeth, improving your smile’s quality, but the primary benefit is eliminating bacteria that cause bad breath. You will find that your teeth are whiter and your bad breath is under control with regular cleaning.

Your Local Quality Dentist

If you can’t recall the last time you had a cleaning, it’s time to get a professional to take a look. During your next visit with the competent team at Progressive Health Dental of Turlock, CA, you will receive the best care and guidance you and your family deserve.

Am I Brushing My Teeth Right?

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Brushing your teeth is a thing you do every day, but do you do it correctly? There’s an art to brushing, and unfortunately, brushing incorrectly can lead to problems like gum recession, plaque and tartar buildup, and gum disease. Your dentist in Turlock, CA can help you decide whether you’re brushing your teeth the right way. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s the best tooth brushing technique?

To brush your teeth, place the bristles of your toothbrush (with toothpaste on the bristles) against your teeth, then gently brush the enamel of your teeth in small circles, covering the entire tooth up to the gum line. Do this all around the outside of your teeth, then brush the insides of your teeth the same way. Finally, brush the flat parts of your molars with gentle back and forward motions.

How long should I brush my teeth?

Brush your teeth for two minutes. Don’t brush for less than two minutes, as you may not get your teeth clean enough. Also, don’t brush your teeth for more than two minutes, as this is too long, and you could do damage to your teeth.

What kind of toothbrush should I use?

Use a soft-bristle toothbrush, or an electric toothbrush that’s recommended by your dentist. Electric toothbrushes can be very effective at cleaning teeth, and many electric toothbrushes come with features that make your tooth brushing efforts more effective.

Can my dentist tell me whether I’m brushing my teeth correctly?

Your dentist can tell you whether you’re brushing your teeth correctly if you demonstrate your technique for your dentist. Your dentist may also be able to tell whether you’re brushing your teeth correctly just by looking at your teeth.

To find out more about how to brush your teeth, talk to your dentist at Progressive Health Dental when you come in for your next dental exam in Turlock, CA. Call today.

Why Should I Floss My Teeth?  

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Flossing plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums because flossing removes the buildup of plaque and food particles between the teeth. The toothbrush cannot address these areas. Therefore, to maintain a healthy mouth, an individual must floss at least once a day.

Flossing Reduces Plaque Buildup

Plaque is a sticky clear or yellow film that covers the teeth. This film covers every part of the tooth, including the neck, which is the portion of the tooth emerging from the gum line, as well as the area in between each tooth.

How To Maintain a Healthy Mouth

Although regular brushing is a vital aspect of maintaining good dental hygiene, the toothbrush can only reach about 60% of the teeth, leaving 40% at risk for the buildup of plaque.

Once plaque builds up, if it remains on the teeth, it eventually hardens. At this point, the plaque is referred to as tartar. Removing tartar from the teeth requires the use of special tools. Therefore, it cannot be removed at home. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional in Turlock, California.

The role floss plays in oral hygiene includes:

  • Helping to prevent gingivitis, which is the earliest stage of gum disease. Symptoms of gingivitis include sensitive gum tissue, inflammation and red gums that bleed while brushing and flossing. While the damage gingivitis causes is reversible, the damage resulting from later stages of the disease (i.e., periodontitis) is not.
  • Removing plaque from in-between the teeth and along the gum line before it hardens into tartar.
  • Helping with preventing the damage that plaque and tarter can cause tooth enamel, which typically results in the development of cavities. Signs of a cavity include inflammation, pain and infection.
  • Decreasing an individual’s risk of developing bad breath. While flossing, any food particles that are trapped in-between the teeth and below the gum line are removed. Removing this trapped debris and plaque helps prevent the onset of gingivitis and the development of cavities.
  • Following a good dental hygiene routine may even benefit the heart and the brain.

Good oral hygiene decreases the likelihood of an individual developing gum disease (aka gingivitis) and cavities. Since flossing is the only way to remove the plaque and harmful bacteria in between the teeth, to maintain your smile and benefit your heart, you should make flossing part of your daily dental hygiene routine.

At Progressive Health Dental, Turlock, California, dentist, Dr. Michael Ratto and his dedicated dental staff help individuals in and around Turlock, California, maintain their teeth with biannual cleanings, cancer screenings and checkups. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ratto, please call 1-209-667-1575 or click here to fill out our online contact form. Progressive Health Dental is located at 951 East Monte Vista Avenue in Turlock, California.

 

How Consistent Oral Care Benefits You

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There is a common misconception that visiting the dentist is only necessary when you are experiencing a problem. Regular visits ensure that your oral health care is optimized through regular cleanings and identifying issues before they become expensive and dangerous to your health.

Progressive Health dental of Turlock, CA is proud to serve the citizens of Turlock since 1981 with the best dental care possible.

Why are Regular Dental Visits Important?

Regular visits to dental care professionals are crucial in maintaining proper oral healthcare. On top of cleaning and services, the team can recommend and consult you on courses of action that will help in the long-term care of your teeth and gums. Furthermore, it prevents further issues that can arise from improper brushing, cavities, and gum diseases.

General Dentistry Services

Cleanings

One of the most common general dentistry services is regular teeth cleaning. These are usually conducted every 4-6 months, and double as a check-in with your doctor and hygienist to make sure you are taking proper care of your teeth. Comprehensive cleaning reduces your chances of cavities and infection, while the lasting polish protects the teeth from further discoloration.

Fillings

Cavities are holes and spaces between the teeth that are not always noticeable to the naked eye. You can also have cavities that exhibit no symptoms of pain or discomfort. An x-ray at your next check-up can determine if there are cavities that are in need of filling.

Bridges and Crowns

In many circumstances, teeth may need to be (or have already been) removed. Crowns help to rebuild the teeth, while bridges reinforce the teeth in your mouth by “bridging” them together.

Your Local Dental Care Experts in Turlock, CA

If you are concerned about your last check-up or need a second opinion, trust the team at Progressive Health Dental of Turlock, CA. During your free consultation, the team can properly identify and correct anything of concern.

 

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush  

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Did you know that you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months? If you don’t, your toothbrush will become less effective when it comes to clearing food and plaque from your teeth. And as any dentist in Turlock, CA will tell you, it’s imperative that you buy the right type of toothbrush.

So let’s talk about what you should look for when buying a new toothbrush. Here are four things to consider when buying a new toothbrush.

1. Size of the Toothbrush Head

There are a wide variety of toothbrushes on the market and many people think a bigger toothbrush will work better than a smaller toothbrush. However, that is not the case. Buying a toothbrush that has a smaller head will give you better access to those hard-to-reach places in your mouth.

2. Toothbrush Bristle Design

A toothbrush’s bristle design is just as important as the size of the toothbrush’s head. Choosing a toothbrush with bristles that vary in size will help you get into the more intricate places in and around your teeth and gums. It will also make it easier to get to all those hard-to-reach places.

3. Toothbrush Bristle Firmness

You probably already know that toothbrushes come in soft, medium, and hard bristle types. So how do you choose? Many people believe that hard bristles work better, but that’s not the case. Hard bristles risk damaging your teeth and gums. Therefore, it’s best to choose a soft bristle toothbrush.

4. Toothbrush Handle Grip

Dentists recommend you brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes each time you brush. Therefore, it’s best to look for a toothbrush that comes with a handle that feels comfortable and allows you to have a firm grip.

If you need a dentist in Turlock, CA, please Contact Progressive Health Dental today. We have been providing exceptional dental care to patients in this community for more than 40 years and we would love to do the same for you!