Dental health is not only about cavities, it is about much more! Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? Even if you have never had a cavity before, this is a sign that you have an oral health concern. Completely healthy mouths do not bleed or have pain. Even if it has been happening your whole life, that does not mean it is normal. If your gums bleed when you floss or brush, it generally means you have an infection which is often caused by gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis often turns into periodontitis if left untreated. Better known as gum disease, periodontitis is a definite path to tooth loss as infection causes loss in bone, and bone is the anchor that holds the tooth in place. As the bone deteriorates from infection, the tooth has nothing to hold onto and becomes mobile and falls out. Gum disease has also been shown to have a relationship to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and osteoporosis. A routine dental appointment every 3-4 months can vastly improve your dental health. The earlier your dentist can catch this infection, the easier it will be for you to prevent further complications.

Did you know that it takes less than one second to make a first impression? It's estimated that over a third of people notice teeth as the first facial impression they see. Going to your dentist's office every three to four months can help you make a great first impression! Regular hygiene appointments can remove plaque, which can become stained, so that your teeth look shiny and healthy. Are your teeth still not white enough? Ask us about our teeth whitening options!

When many people think of a healthy smile, their first thought comes to appearance. However, you should consider an additional sense—your sense of smell! While many people experience that dreaded "morning breath," if you find that you have ongoing issues with bad breath, it may be something more than a breath mint can solve. Often, that smell is the smell of infection in your gums or teeth. Visiting your dentist every 3 to 4 months can help solve or prevent these issues and make sure you have fresh breath all year long!

What is biofilm, you ask? Commonly known as plaque, it is the colonizing bacteria that forms in your mouth and sticks to the tooth’s surface. The tooth is the only part of the human body that does not have a shedding mechanism, so the plaque accumulates until it is removed. This allows numerous organisms to adhere to the tooth’s surface for long periods of time. It is soft at first, but then after about one day, it begins to harden and becomes calculus. Then it is necessary to remove it with the proper dental tools. Sometimes you can feel it with your tongue. Anytime your tooth’s surface is not smooth, calculus is a likely culprit. The calculus is millions of these tiny bacteria releasing toxins that the body reacts to in the form of inflammation and bone loss. This chronic condition is simple enough to prevent, can be improved and maintained in a healthy state, but must not be ignored if you are to remain at your best health.

During a dental exam, a lot more is happening than simply cleaning your teeth. During your visit, we also offer an oral cancer screening. The number of people diagnosed with mouth and throat cancers has been increasing over the last several years and we want to make sure that you have every chance at curing it. Like most cancer, mouth and throat cancer are most likely to be cured when detected early. This is why having a dental appointment every 3 to 4 months is so important! It increases your odds of finding any signs of lesions or precancerous conditions inside of your mouth as soon as possible.

When it comes to your overall oral health, a lot of issues can arise. Whether it is oral cancer, infection, cavities, teeth staining, bad breath, or biofilm, the list of things that could go wrong is well... a mouthful. The good news is that almost all of these things are preventable or treatable! The most important things that you can do are brush and floss every day and maintain routine dental appointments. If you catch a problem before it grows too big you can save yourself a lot of time, effort, and money.