The primary goal of the team at our Marin County Dentist is to help our patients achieve optimal oral heath by keeping their teeth naturally healthy and free of cavities. This approach reduces the likelihood of future major cosmetic or structural dental treatment. Teeth that are healthy and natural are stable, aesthetically pleasing, and vital to a patient’s overall dental health.
It is essential to maintain good oral health with proper hygiene like brushing and flossing twice a day. But even the most conscientious at-home oral hygiene cannot do the job necessary to ensure great oral health because it cannot remove every trace of plaque buildup.
Preventative home-care maintenance like brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash will help to remove some plaque from dental enamel. Throughout the day, eating and drinking will cause plaque to form on the surface and between teeth. Plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and sugars, is harmful because its acidity can eat away at dental enamel and threaten the health of your tooth.
Left on dental enamel, plaque will harden into tartar, or “calculus.” The tartar calcifies on the teeth, providing a perfect environment for enamel-eroding bacteria and sugars. This tartar buildup can only be removed by a dentist through dental scaling. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a routine of semi-annual (twice a year) professional dental cleanings to help keep a cavity-free smile.
A great deal of emphasis is put on the importance of a thorough oral hygiene routine by the dental health community, and with good reason. But it is equally important to follow a schedule of regular professional scaling and polishing treatments. Collaborating with a dentist to establish a balance of at-home and professional care is the easiest way to accomplish your dental health goals. The Marin County Dentist will be happy to answer any questions and provide guidance, so don’t hesitate to contact our office.