Summer is an ideal time for a dental cleaning to boost your oral health and your smile confidence. At Tatum & Cox, the comprehensive dental practice of Dr. Crawford A. Tatum Jr., DMD and Dr. Christina Cox, DMD in Opelika, Alabama, we are excited to help you get your smile ready for summer!
Why is six months the recommended time period for dental cleanings? Well, during a six-month period, tartar build up will require a professional dental cleaning to remove it. If this tartar buildup is left untreated, the bacteria will release toxins into the gums and bones, causing them to dissolve and loosening the teeth. This is called periodontitis.
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) reports that patients who have routine six-month dental cleanings benefit from improved oral health. Not only do these visits help prevent gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath, but they can help lower the risk for certain diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
The six-month dental cleaning schedule was created for the “average” person in mind, which typically means:
— Those who are middle-aged
— Those who don’t eat a lot of sweets
— Those who brush their teeth at least twice each day
— Those who don’t smoke
Some people, however, may need to go more often. In fact, if you have any of the following, you may be more susceptible to damage from oral bacteria and should come in more often:
— Your diet is high in sugary foods and drinks
— You are older
— You have dry mouth
— You have periodontal disease
Dr. Crawford Tatum and Dr. Christina Cox find that regular dental cleanings are the perfect complement to daily at-home oral care when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile for our patients in Opelika, Alabama. So if you are ready for your summer cleaning, please give our caring team a call at 334-745-6393 today!