subject: The Importance of Regular Prophylaxis Sessions [print this page] The Importance of Regular Prophylaxis Sessions
Teeth care is not to be treated lightly. We put our teeth in harm's way everytime we eat or drink flavored beverages and fail to brush afterwards. The mere act of chewing creates significant stresses in the teeth; food bits can get lodged in tight corners and will stay there until picked out or naturally washed out. Trapped food bits become breeding places for bacterial growth. If left unchecked, bacterial attack can cause serious teeth problems such as dental caries, gingivitis and pyorrhea.
Even drinking can cause nasty effects if the teeth are not cleaned afterwards. Drinks with a high sugar content leave traces of sugar and other sweet flavors that attract bacteria. These are known as fermentable carbohydrates. Bacteria in the mouth feasts on these residual sugars leaving acids in its wake that can eat away the tooth's normal enamel covering. These can also lead to dental caries.
It is important to keep our teeth clean at all times. Regular brushing can help to wash away food bits trapped in between the teeth and dilute fermentable carbohydrates rendering them un-appetizing to mouth-thriving bacteria.
However, these are not sufficient measures to ensure your teeth's full health. Even if you brush regularly, refrain from eating too sweet foods, and floss regularly, plaque and other build-ups are bound to find their way into your teeth. A little plaque deposition here and there can lead to significant accumulation over a period of a few months.
Dentists recommend prophylaxis or teeth cleaning sessions every six months. They serve to chip away the growing plaque and restore the teeth's health. Prophylaxis also allows dentists to regularly check your teeth for dental caries or other forms of tooth damage so they can be remedied before they get any worse.
Do not miss your dentist appointments if you want your teeth to remain the darling pearly whites that they currently are. Visit your dentist twice a year for regularly check-up and cleaning.
Your smile can be your most prized asset so take good care of it. It will give you the extra bite to support your already charming personality. Don't go anywhere without it.
