It’s recommended that most patients visit the dentist every six months for routine dental cleanings and examinations. Though bi-annual appointments are usually enough for healthy patients, it’s essential to visit your dentist more often if you’re prone to plaque buildup and periodontitis.

Bleeding gums can indicate a sign of infection or early-stage periodontitis. At this stage, it’s easily treatable, but make sure your dentist treats it right away to prevent a larger infection.

Brush and floss your teeth more often － at least twice a day. Brush softly and be sure to scrape your tongue. You can also freshen your breath and better protect your teeth by rinsing with mouthwash. You should also avoid foods that can cause bad breath, like onions, garlic, dairy, and coffee.

If bad breath is an ongoing problem, see your dentist. Tooth decay or gum disease may be forming in your mouth if you experience persistent bad breath.

Dental crowns are caps that cover and protect individual teeth. They can improve your smile by covering chipped or fractured teeth. They can also protect weak or decaying teeth when removing them is not an option. Dental crowns are commonly placed over teeth that have undergone root canal therapy or have existing large cavities. They’re also attached to dental implants and serve as replacements for missing teeth.

For most patients, there are usually two surgical procedures involved with dental implants. During the first procedure, the implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone, where they’ll be able to eventually hold a tooth replacement or bridge.

Apart from achieving a straighter and more beautiful smile, braces and Invisalign can benefit your oral health. Crooked teeth or teeth that overlap are harder to clean around. As a result, these areas serve as hiding places for bacteria that cause bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Protruding teeth or gaps between teeth can also interfere with your smile and create an uneven bite. Braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic appliances can straighten crooked teeth and move teeth into proper position.

Teeth, especially our molars, have unique ridges and grooves on them that can harbor bacteria and make it harder to clean. Sealants are thin coatings that are applied to the teeth and provide a protective layer over these grooves and ridges. Because children can struggle to reach these areas while brushing, sealants can provide an extra layer of protection against cavities.

If your gums are in perfect health and have no recession, you can typically get a “normal dental cleaning.” This will entail removing debris, tartar, and plaque above the gum line, and getting your teeth polished. As our body changes and we start to lose bone around our teeth, there are more root surfaces to clean and typically we need a more advanced type of cleaning, often called Periodontal Maintenance.

A “deep cleaning” is typically done when there is active infection in your gums and around your teeth. The area is anesthetized and the infection is removed with some of the infected tissue. At times a laser is used to help fight the infection and promote the growth of new gum tissue.

There has been more information and research that shows that having a healthy mouth can help prevent the exacerbation of several systemic diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiac issues, and much more.