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Professional Teeth Cleanings Help Stave Off Dangerous Tooth Decay

If you want to keep a healthy smile then you need to see your Shelby, NC dentist every six months.

How often do you see your Shelby dentist, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, Jr.? If the answer isn’t twice a year then you aren’t doing everything Teeth Cleanings you can to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you want to keep your smile for life then it’s time to find out why you should be seeing us every six months for your routine exams.

What happens during a professional teeth cleaning?

There are two components to a routine dental visit: the check-up and the cleaning.

The check-up

During your visit, your Shelby, NC dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth to check for signs of plaque or tartar buildup. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that, if not removed through proper brushing and flossing at home, can harden into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed with at-home brushing, and will require your Shelby dentist to remove it before it causes issues like gingivitis (an early form of gum disease). We will also examine the health of your gums to make sure there are no signs of gum disease.

Dental cleaning

While you may brush and floss regularly at home, you still need to see your Shelby dentist every six months for a professional cleaning. Why? Because you aren’t perfect and sometimes you can miss spots when you clean your smile. Furthermore, we have special tools that give you the deep down clean you need.

Once tartar has been removed we will polish your teeth with a paste that will help to remove surface stains. Finally, we will give your teeth a good flossing to remove debris and plaque from in between those hard-to-reach spots.

The importance of a professional teeth cleaning

Since not all dental problems display symptoms, sometimes only your Shelby, NC dentist will be able to pinpoint issues before they become worse. Instead of needing expensive or time-consuming treatments, opt for six-month exams where we can monitor minor issues like dental erosion to make sure a weak spot doesn’t turn into a cavity. Prevent dental problems by keeping up with your routine dental visits.

How to care for your teeth between visits to your Shelby, NC dentist

There are things you can still do to maintain good oral hygiene when you aren’t in the dentist’s chair. Here are some handy tips for keeping those pearly whites healthy.

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste. Brush for a minimum of two minutes each time.
  • Floss your teeth daily.
  • Use a mouth rinse that has the ADA Seal of Approval and will help to get rid of bacteria.
  • Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months or after illness.

If it’s time to schedule your upcoming dental visit, act now! It’s never too late to get a professional dental cleaning from your Shelby, NC dentist. Call our office today to book your next appointment.

Dentist in Shelby, NC
Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS,
PA
511 N. Morgan Street
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-0077
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