Having your teeth cleaned during a visit to your dentists does more than make your pearly whites look better; cleaning teeth assists in promoting overall good health, affirms Oakwood Dental Arts, a practice with offices in Freehold, N.J., and Staten Island, N.Y.
Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food.
Having your teeth cleaned at Oakwood Dental Arts removes plaque that may develop, even if you diligently brush and floss.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), plaque begins to build up on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If teeth are not cleaned well each day, plaque will lead to tooth decay.
If you do not remove plaque, NIH explains, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and the toxins they produce cause the gums to become infected, swollen and tender.
Plaque and tartar can lead to a number of problems, such as cavities, which are holes that damage the structure of teeth; gingivitis, which are swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums; periodontitis, the destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss; bad breath (halitosis); abscesses; pain; inability to chew properly, and other health problems outside the mouth, from preterm labor to heart disease.
ABOUT OAKWOOD DENTAL ARTS
Oakwood Dental Arts is a full-serve practice featuring seasoned dentists with a wide range of expertise, from general practice and cosmetic procedures to oral surgery, dental implants, dentures and emergency dental care.
Backed by a team of general dentists, periodontists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and endodontists, Oakwood Dental Arts is conveniently located in Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey (732-414-2683), with additional offices in the Staten Island, New York, communities of Oakwood Heights (718-979-2121) and Tottenville (718-356-9800).