If you stick to your dentist’s recommendations, then you should attend a dental checkup and cleaning appointment at least twice a year. However, many patients don’t stick to that schedule as consistently as they should, and in many ways, that’s why common, easily preventable dental issues are so prevalent. For patients throughout the North Hollywood, CA, area, we strongly suggest maintaining your schedule of checkups and cleanings to avoid complications that can arise from such issues.

Why You Need More than Brushing and Flossing

Brushing and flossing your teeth every day serves a very specific purpose – to clean away the harmful bacteria and food particles that make up dental plaque. The microbes in plaque are the main reason why things like tooth decay and gum disease form. As they metabolize nutrients in your food, these bacteria produce harmful acids and toxins that erode your teeth and gum tissues. Yet, even if you brush and floss consistently, you can miss spots of plaque, and before long, those spots will calcify into tartar.

Why Checkups and Cleanings Matter

No matter how often you brush and floss, tartar can’t be removed from your teeth with just toothpaste and water. On the contrary, it has to be professionally cleaned away with the help of your dentist or hygienist. Tartar isn’t always obvious at first, but over time, it can lead to discoloration on your teeth as well as substantially heightened risks of chronic dental health issues.

What Happens if Prevention Is Too Late?

The issues that develop from excessive oral bacteria buildup can be prevented by stopping these bacteria from growing strong enough. However, because no one is perfect in their hygiene and preventive dental care routines, such issues remain a common threat. During your routine preventive visits, we’ll also check to see if you’ve developed tooth decay, gum disease, or any other dental health concern, and recommend appropriate treatment to address it, if necessary.

Schedule Your Next Dental Checkup and Cleaning

Along with good dental hygiene at home, sticking to a regular schedule of checkups and cleanings is also vital to keeping your smile healthy for life. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.