There is a lot you can do on your own to protect your smile. It starts with healthy dental habits, like brushing and flossing daily. Also avoiding unhealthy ones, like smoking, or consuming too many sugary drinks or foods. But you're doing all that effort a disservice if you're not attending your recommended biannual dental visits. Don't put it off much longer, get in contact with Dr. Claudia Rodriguez and Dr. J. Pirtle of Lower Valley Dental Associates in Brownsville, TX.
Fighting Plaque
Your mouth is home to an ecosystem of bacteria whose ranks are constantly reinforced every time you eat or breathe.
Plaque is the visible biofilm that forms around your teeth. Every day that your brush and floss you help beat it back.
But no matter how careful you are there is always some of it left behind. The bacteria feed on the sugary drinks and foods you consume and as a result, produce acids that lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Plaque also collects minerals from your saliva and eventually hardens into tartar, which you cannot remove with regular brushing and flossing.
Biannual professional cleanings are thorough enough to leave your mouth relatively plaque and tartar free and scheduled in a way to work in tandem with your hygiene habits at home.
Preventative Care
But your dental visits go beyond cleanings. Though very important to your dental health, an equally important aspect is the examination part of your visit with your Brownsville, TX, dentist.
During your checkup, your dentist will examine for signs of cavities and gum disease. When caught and treated early these problems can be managed through less costly methods. It may even prevent them from arising in the first place.
Your dentist will also examine you for other common problems, including a basic oral cancer screening.
So stop putting off your dental visits and make an appointment today. Call Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Pirtle of Lower Valley Dental Associates in Brownsville, TX, by dialing (956) 350-0059.