Do you brush and floss every day? Great! It would help if you still visited Alpine Family Dental. You may need to brush and floss more effectively than you think. How you brush and floss is just as important as the frequency with which you clean your teeth, gums, and other areas. Moreover, even the most diligent patients must still adhere to regular dental exams and teeth cleanings at our office in Kalispell, Montana. Read on to find out why these visits are so important (even with good oral hygiene at home!) and what to expect from them.
Exams – no oral issues are overlooked!
Many oral conditions are progressive. Dental decay and infections start as enamel erosion. Advanced gum disease starts as gingival inflammation or early-stage gingivitis. Often, enamel erosion and gingivitis are asymptomatic. Or, these symptoms may be so subtle that it is easy to ignore them. You may think that your mouth is healthy because you are “symptom-free – your smile looks great, and your teeth feel fine. Our dentists have the training and the technologies to uncover even the earliest signs of damage. By detecting and resolving these conditions early on, damage is avoided. This process helps to keep your smile intact, as well as more money in your pocket. Interventions to treat existing and extensive problems are generally costly, time-consuming, and aggressive.
Cleanings to remove stubborn plaque
Only the “pros” (dental hygienists) can remove plaque build-up that has hardened on the teeth. This stubborn tartar only budges with the help of the specialized instruments and techniques that our hygienists are trained to use effectively, safely, and gently. Standard toothbrushes and other oral care aids can remove food particles, bacteria, and sticky plaque. But, once that bacterial plaque has hardened, only specialized expertise can prevent it from wreaking havoc on your mouth and health. Without regular cleanings, plaque triggers a process that erodes both the teeth and the gums and, eventually, the supportive bone in the jaw.
For a beautiful smile
Many of our patients are interested in professional teeth whitening services. But did you know that one of the best things you can do for the beauty of your smile is to maintain regular cleanings? During the cleaning portion of your check-up, our hygienists also remove surface stains. When stains are not allowed to build up on the teeth, your chompers look dazzling, vibrant, healthy, and youthful white – without the need for treatments like chairside or take-home whitening. Our patients also love how minty-fresh their breath smells and their mouth feels after a good tooth polishing.