Most Dansville residents know that brushing is essential for cavity prevention, clean teeth, and fresh breath, but many are surprised to hear that plaque can harden in as little as 48 hours, forming what is commonly known as tartar (or calculus), which is nearly impossible to remove without the assistance of your hygienist or dentist.
Tartar can contain up to 1,000 bacterial species, which create what is called a biofilm. Many of the microorganisms present in your biofilm are neutral or harmless, but the dangerous bacteria are responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, two things you need to avoid if you want to keep your natural teeth! Knowing this, you probably want to confirm that your oral hygiene routine is in tip-top shape. Here is the routine experts follow and recommend:
Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, or periodontist in its advanced stage, is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. The bacteria associated with the infection has been found to increase your risk of heart attack by as much as 50%. The same inflammation is linked to stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and a host of other ailments. Doctors in the medical and dental fields believe this is because the bacteria can travel through your bloodstream from the gums and reach your main lifelines—your heart and brain.
This correlation becomes even scarier when we look at the following statistic: up to 50% of the population in the United States has gum disease. However, it doesn’t have to be scary. Gum disease is treatable and preventable, and we can help you do both!
The importance of scheduling your dental checkups has increased with the rising rate of oral cancer. Your Dansville dentist is trained to recognize potentially dangerous abnormalities. Getting an idea of how your mouth usually looks and having high-resolution images to refer to can make the difference between catching oral cancer in its early stages and catching it when it’s advanced, which is the main reason it claims one person’s life in the United States per hour.
If Dr. Vogler finds anything suspicious, he can painlessly obtain cells for testing during your appointment with the OralCDx® Brush Test.
*Can be found on the gums, cheeks, tongue, throat, lips, or any surface of the mouth.
You may have realized it by now, but at A Smile By Design, we love your smile! That’s why we highly recommend protecting it by wearing a mouthguard if you or anyone else in your family participate in contact sports. Not only can they prevent the loss of a tooth, but they can defend against painful injuries that occur from your teeth coming into contact with your cheeks or tongue.
If you’re tempted to purchase the stock variety or a boil and bite guard from a local sporting goods store, we understand. That seems more convenient and affordable, but when you compare the customized fit and durable material of a professionally crafted mouthguard, the difference becomes clear and the choice is easier to make. Our advanced mouthguards also protect from nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which make for a very unhappy TMJ.