Chelmsford Dentists

Chelmsford Dentists | Dental exams and cleanings are the first line of defense that your Chelmsford dentists use to protect you and your family from tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, these types of appointments are frequently neglected by patients, particularly in today’s challenging times. Patients don’t realize the harm that can happen by postponing these vital dental visits. Let’s take a look at the importance of dental exams and cleanings so that you can protect your teeth and gums to prevent unnecessary dental work in the future.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Before looking into dental exams and cleanings. It may be helpful to understand why you need them in the first place. As mentioned earlier, the primary goal of these necessary Chelmsford dentists visits is to protect you from tooth decay and gum disease.

Tooth decay is caused by the presence of oral bacteria that are always present in the mouth. If you let up on your regular brushing and flossing, or put off needed dental exams and cleanings, bacteria can really take a toll on your mouth by creating acidic substances that damage tooth enamel.

Damaged tooth enamel can allow the entry of bacteria further into the dentin layer of the teeth. From there, it’s just a short hop to the dental pulp. Inflamed or infected pulp can be extremely painful. This requires a procedure like a root canal treatment, or even a tooth extraction.

Gum disease is a chronic condition that can, left untreated, result in the eventual loss of teeth by undermining the gums and bone that support them. Plaque is a sticky substance that can build up on the teeth, leading to the formation of tartar – a hardened form of plaque. At this stage, only your dental team can remove it.

The danger of plaque is that it eventually leads to an inflammatory condition of the gums. In its early form, called gingivitis, gum disease can be reversed. But if it develops further into periodontitis, the condition becomes irreversible. At that point, you would need constant treatment to prevent the loss of teeth.

Dental Exams and Cleanings

The importance of dental exams and cleanings is that they allow your Chelmsford dentists a chance to remove any plaque or tartar that they may find. Your dental hygienist will use their training and specialized dental tools to scrape away plaque and tartar during your cleaning appointment.

Dental exams usually takes place before a dental cleaning. Unless you have some ongoing situation that was previously known about. Your dental hygienist will be checking for problems like oral cancer, gum disease and tooth decay. If any abnormalities are noted, your Chelmsford dentists can be called in to take a closer look.

Benefits of Dental Exams and Cleanings

• Prevents tooth decay and gum disease
• Removes plaque and tartar
• Polishes the teeth to help brighten your smile

Schedule Your Appointment

Has it been awhile since your last dental exam and cleaning appointment? If so, contact Chelmsford dentists today at (978) 250-0079 to book an appointment and get back on track with these important dental visits to protect your teeth and gums from tooth decay and gum disease.