Albertville, AL
You look at the calendar or you get a notification on your phone and then you see it: a dental appointment, coming soon. Your dentist agrees with the American Dental Association that you should brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily. If you’ve neglected this home regimen, you might try to “catch up” by brushing and flossing with extra care the night before your dental appointment. Sorry to break the news, but it won’t work. Read on as we explain how your dentist in Albertville can tell if you’ve not been brushing and flossing every day.
Seeing is believing
Your dentist has completed years of training to detect issues and abnormalities with the teeth and mouth of their patients. As a result, your dentist can make a sound assessment of your general oral state from the time you open your mouth.
Some of the things a well-training dentist can identify include:
- Your brushing technique: Have you ever heard of over-brushing? This occurs when you brush your teeth too vigorously. Brushing too hard can wear away your enamel and have the opposite effect that brushing is intended for, raising your risk of dental threats like tooth decay.
- Your flossing frequency: Even if you floss right before your dental appointment, that’s not going to fool your dentist into thinking you’ve been flossing every day, as recommended. There are certain signs that show the lack of flossing—calcular deposits between the teeth, or your gums looking red and raw because you attempted to catch up on flossing all at once with one overly vigorous flossing.
Why is daily brushing and flossing so important?
When you fail to brush and floss as you should, harmful bacteria that lead to cavities and gum disease can accumulate in the mouth. Your immune system has to work more rigorously to defend against these microscopic invaders. As these bacteria multiply, they establish a stronghold that can lead to oral diseases and generally increase inflammation, which is a natural response to the presence of negative bacteria. This inflammation might guard against infection but it wears down your body because your immune system is always in overdrive to fight off disease.
You also face an elevated risk of several other systemic health issues, including:
- Alzheimer’s, which has been linked to gum disease-related bacteria
- Increased levels of C-reactive protein, or CRP, which can be a precursor to coronary disease
- Gum disease
- Loss of libido and/or impotence
- Diabetes
- Complications during pregnancy and/or childbirth
Preventive Dentistry in Albertville and Gadsden in Alabama
In addition to brushing and flossing, you need regular dental cleanings every six months to fully prevent threats like tooth decay and gum disease, and for your best chance of a lifetime of oral health.
Each of our cleanings removes all build-up of plaque and tartar. One of our experienced, compassionate dental hygienists then polishes your teeth, smoothing the enamel and making it more difficult for tartar and plaque to adhere. We also can provide advice on brushing and flossing or show you the proper techniques. In short, we’re here to help put you back on the path to good oral health.
If you’ve lapsed in your dental hygiene as of late, it’s never too late to get back on track. Make an appointment today at Wall Street Dentistry by calling (256) 878-0525 or contact us online.