Keeping your smile its healthy and happy best with routine professional care

At Strongsville Smile Keepers, we congratulate and support our patients from across northern Ohio who maintain consistently excellent oral care from the comfort of their homes. However, as good as your home hygiene may be, it is essential to continue to visit our office for professional and regular dental cleanings. These and other preventative dentistry services help to maintain the healthy balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in the mouth. Furthermore, our registered dental hygienists’ use of gentle and precision techniques and specialized dental instruments aid in the removal of stubborn, hardened plaque (tartar).

The importance of professional care

Not all plaque can be removed with standard toothbrushes and floss. This destructive bacterial film is constantly forming on the teeth. Even the most diligent and conscientious patients cannot possibly remove all of the plaque that forms as the result of lingering food particles (sugars and starches) and naturally-occurring oral microbes. If plaque is then allowed to build up, it hardens into tartar or calculus. Tartar is notoriously hard to remove. At this stage, only trained and knowledgeable professionals can safely, painlessly, and effectively remove stubborn plaque build-up.

Fighting threats to your good oral health

Plaque, sugars and starches, and certain strains of bacteria also contribute to destructive and progressive dental (tooth) decay, as well as periodontal (gum) disease. Plaque is associated with acids, which eat their way through the hard tissue of the teeth – marching their way toward the innermost structure, starting with the outside enamel layer. What begins as enamel erosion and heightened tooth sensitivity can progress, without treatment, to cavities or holes in the surfaces of the teeth. As decay goes untreated, cavities or areas of damage become larger and penetrate the deepest layers of the teeth. When decay reaches the nervy center of the tooth (the pulp chamber), root canal therapy may be required to resolve serious bacterial inflammation or infections and to preserve the natural tooth.

Abrasive and porous hardened plaque (tartar) furthermore accumulates above and below the gum line and inflames or irritates the supportive tissues. Plaque is also associated with the release of toxins; as gum disease progresses without treatment, the supporting attachments between the teeth and gums and the bone in the jaw are destroyed. When detected and resolved early with the likes of a standard professional cleaning or a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), gum disease can be halted without causing damage. Early effects of gingivitis may even be reversed. Once hard tissues are lost due to advanced periodontitis, they are gone for good. More aggressive regenerative treatments will be necessary to build up lost tissues.

These and other consequences of the destructive processes of decay and gum disease can be avoided with regular visits to our office. During your professional cleaning and exam, we can also provide tailored insights into ways to better remove plaque and other “nasties.” The best time to visit Strongsville Smile Keepers is before you notice any potential problems. So, call (440) 508-4080 today to keep your smile its healthy and happy best!