Brushing and flossing are important daily habits, but they aren’t enough to remove every bit of debris. They don’t take the place of a professional teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist. Plaque and tartar (soft gunk and hard gunk) build up on teeth, and brushing and flossing can slow the build up process, but not stop it.
So what can happen without a professional teeth cleaning? You can lose teeth. That’s the bottom line. Gum disease is the end game that sneaks up over time with the build up of plaque and tartar on teeth.
The first stage is called gingivitis, that’s when plaque and tartar – think bacteria – cause the gums to get red and swollen – think inflammation. The next stage of the progression is called periodontitis, that’s the point where the gum tissue gets weak and recedes, and the bone that holds your tooth securely starts to break down.
That process of atrophy if left untreated by a hygienist is what leads to tooth loss. The hopeful part? This is not inevitable! Make your oral health a priority and you can help prevent this process if you act early.
When you think about it, your mouth is not an island but rather is a vital part of your whole body system. Having a regular scheduled teeth cleaning is part of your strategy to keep your whole body inflammation free. Now, that matters!
