Most patients are aware of the tenets of excellent dental hygiene; namely, brushing teeth twice a day, flossing at least once, and attending a dental cleaning and exam every six months, or more often if recommended. While brushing and flossing are relatively simple and easy to accomplish, visiting the dentist on a regular basis isn’t always on the forefront of a patient’s mind. If you’re diligent about hygiene at home, you may not believe every appointment is necessary. Unfortunately, skipping professional maintenance is a common reason why dental diseases develop, even when patients strictly adhere to good hygiene at their bathroom sinks. When it comes to your oral health, prevention is always preferable to damage control, and by sticking to a schedule of professional teeth cleaning with your Garland dentist, Dr. Vi Mai, your chances of successful prevention can be significantly improved.
The Mechanics of Dental Trouble
Briefly run your tongue over teeth. Are they smooth, almost silky-feeling, or do they feel textured, sticky, and a bit uncomfortable to run your tongue across? The sticky biofilm that sometimes coats your teeth, which you may know is called dental plaque, consists of myriad oral bacteria. The germs target vulnerable teeth and gums, setting the stage for tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and chronic bad breath, to name just a few issues. If you carefully brush every surface of every tooth and floss between them daily, you can mostly control plaque buildup and the risk of excessive oral bacteria. If you miss a spot, however, then plaque can harden into tartar—an insoluble substance that’s too stubborn for your toothbrush and floss to remove.
Your Routine Dental Exam and Teeth Cleaning
Regular care and maintenance at our dentist’s office involves a thorough cleaning with professional instruments and expert hands to remove bacteria, plaque, tartar, and minor surface stains from your teeth. Dr. Mai or one of our talented hygienists will carefully clean the surfaces every tooth, including underneath the gum line to reduce the risk of gum disease. Using innovative diagnostic technology, such as digital X-rays and intraoral cameras, Dr. Mai will also perform a comprehensive examination to search for early signs of dental disease development. If detected early, tooth decay and gum disease can be intercepted and reversed, or at least controlled, before significant damage occurs.
About Dr. Vi Mai:
Dr.Vi Mai and the caring staff at Mai Dentistry are dedicated to ensuring that our patients are proud of their beautiful, healthy smiles. With years of experience in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, we can expertly diagnose and treat early dental trouble to preserve your natural tooth structure. If it’s about time for your next teeth cleaning appointment, then call us today at (972) 530-0552.
