DENTIST Addison IL ental Care in Addison IL By FAMILY DENTIST Addison IL Addison DENTAL PATIENT Hey, I just got a reminder card that I am supposed to visit my DENTIST Addison IL for my 6 month cleaning. DENTIST Addison IL Congratulations! I always like going to a dentist. Addison DENTAL PATIENT You are a dentist. DENTIST Addison IL What can I say, I like myself. Addison DENTAL PATIENT That is so nice. So let me ask you something. 6 months. Who came up with 6 months? Why are we all supposed to go in for cleanings every 6 months? DENTIST Addison IL There is actually no hard and fast rule that everybody needs a cleaning every 6 months. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Great. So what’s the longest I can wait between office cleanings? DENTIST Addison IL How much do you like your teeth? Addison DENTAL PATIENT Actually, I’m pretty fond of them. DENTIST Addison IL 6 months is about the maximum most people can go between cleanings if they want healthy teeth and gums healthy that look really good. Addison DENTAL PATIENT I’m all about looking good and staying healthy. DENTIST Addison IL Now some people actually need to go more often, maybe every few months, if they tend to get cavities. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Or if they want their teeth looking really good. DENTIST Addison IL That’s right. Addison DENTAL PATIENT So why do some people tend to get cavities more than others? DENTIST Addison IL Essentially, it comes down to dental plaque. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Dental plaque, I should have known. That dental plaque, always a problem. One thing, what is dental plaque? DENTIST Addison IL Dental plaque is actually a mix of sugar, protein and mucous that forms on your teeth. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Are you kidding? DENTIST Addison IL Dental plaque forms in your mouth soon after eating any type of carbohydrates. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Like sugar? DENTIST Addison IL Sugar is the worst. The plaque itself isn’t a problem for teeth. The real problem is the bacteria that grow in plaque, which will cause cavities. Addison DENTAL PATIENT That’s why dentists really don’t want us eating sugar. DENTIST Addison IL Exactly. But there are several factors that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Like what? DENTIST Addison IL Heredity. How healthy are your teeth to begin with, and how well does your body fight infection and cavities. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Hadn’t thought about that. DENTIST Addison IL Another factor is the type of bacteria that are in your mouth. Some people have more of the kind of bacteria that cause decay and gum disease. Addison DENTAL PATIENT I can’t really control my heredity. DENTIST Addison IL Nor can you control the type of bacteria in your mouth. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Bummer. Any other factors? DENTIST Addison IL Saliva. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Saliva. Yucky. DENTIST Addison IL Not yucky. Needed. It protects your teeth against cavities. Addison DENTAL PATIENT Have I mentioned how much I love saliva? DENTIST Addison IL The saliva and the enzymes it contains will help fight cavities. Addison DENTAL PATIENT That is fantastic. DENTIST Addison IL But some people have too little saliva. These can be people who breathe mostly through their mouths or who are on certain medications. They lose the protection of this saliva and have much more tooth decay and inflammation in their gums. Addison DENTAL PATIENT So they have to take especially good care of their teeth. DENTIST Addison IL Which leads us to the final main factor. How well you brush and floss your teeth. Again, this is entirely in your control. Do you routinely floss and scrub the plaque and bacteria off your teeth or do you let it build up? Addison DENTAL PATIENT And do you go in regularly for office cleanings to get your teeth sparkling clean? DENTIST Addison IL Exactly right. Since no two people have the same health condition, someone may need to go every 6 months. Others may need to go more often. I think of it like getting a haircut. It's refreshing. Your DENTIST Addison IL will consider all the factors when they tell you how often to come in. Addison DENTAL PATIENT I probably should listen. DENTIST Addison IL That’s what I would do. Addison DENTAL PATIENT You’re the dentist. DENTIST Addison IL I like to listen to myself. What can I say - I’m an interesting person. Addison DENTAL PATIENT My dentist tells me that prevention is better and cheaper than cure. If you want to have a healthy smile, call your local DENTIST Addison IL today and schedule your dental appointment. You will be happy when you look and feel great with your smile! Visit your Dentist Addison IL, Dentist Wood Dale IL, Dentist Itasca IL, Dentist Bensenville IL, Dentist Fox Valley IL today.