What Happens If You Skip a Dental Cleaning?

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To keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, our team at Miramar Smiles Dentistry recommends regular dental cleanings. Specifically, we want to see you twice a year to ensure everything is healthy inside your mouth. We know life is busy, and you may be tempted to skip your routine cleanings. Here’s the risk of doing so.

1. Tartar and Plaque Buildup

The first thing that happens if you don’t visit the dentist in Miramar, FL, for regular cleanings is an increase in tartar and plaque on your teeth. Even with the best brushing routines, you will have problems with tartar that grows in the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth and below your gumline. Our dental hygienists have the right tools and knowledge to remove this tartar so it doesn’t build into plaque and increase your risk for other problems.

2. Increased Risk of Gum Disease

Tartar and plaque buildup increases your risk of gum disease, and that can eventually lead to damage to your teeth and even tooth loss. Gum disease can cause a host of additional health problems as it increases inflammation levels in the body. Cleanings protect against this.

3. Less Chance of Having Problems Spotted Early

Finally, your routine cleanings are an opportunity for our dental team to see inside your mouth. In addition to cleaning, we screen for a wide range of health issues, including oral cancer. If you cancel your routine visit to the dentist in Miramar, FL, we can’t perform these screenings, which means we can’t catch problems early before they get worse.

The risks of skipping your twice-a-year cleanings are just not worth it. Make sure your teeth are as healthy as possible by visiting Miramar Smiles Dentistry soon.

Why Are My Teeth Yellow?

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Stained teeth can be a frustrating and embafrrassing problem. If you have yellow teeth, it’s helpful to know the cause and what you can do about it. Your dentist in Miramar FL can help. Call today to make an appointment.

What Causes Yellow Teeth?

Many foods and drinks can stain your teeth. An example of the foods and beverages that cause stains on tooth enamel include:

  • Coffee and tea
  • Wine
  • Red sauces
  • Gravy
  • Berries
  • Beet root
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Curried foods
  • Soda
  • Soy sauce

Smoking or using tobacco products can also stain your teeth. Stains from tobacco go deep into the tooth enamel and are often hard to eliminate. The best way to protect your teeth from these stains is to stop using tobacco products as soon as possible.

What Can I Do About Stained Teeth?

If you have stained teeth, there are many things you can do to fix the problem.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an effective, efficient way to make your teeth many shades whiter in one appointment. Professional teeth whitening is long-lasting.

Dental Bonding and Veneers

If your teeth have discolorations that can’t be whitened, dental bonding and dental veneers can cover up these stains.

  • Dental bonding is a composite resin that attaches to tooth enamel. It’s a minimally invasive solution.
  • Dental veneers are covers that attach to your tooth enamel. To attach dental veneers to your teeth, your dentist will remove part of the tooth enamel.

What Are the First Steps?

Do you want to know more about cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental bonding, veneers, and teeth whitening in Miramar FL? The professionals at Miramar Smiles Dentistry can help. We want to help you achieve your goals for your smile. Call today to make an appointment!

Woman Smiling in Dental Office

Ouch! My Tooth Aches – What Should I Do?

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A toothache can be a sign of a serious problem. If you have a toothache, you may have a cavity or dental decay, a broken tooth, or a dental infection. All of these problems need to be addressed by a dentist. If you’re experiencing a toothache, your dentist in Miramar, FL, can help you. See below, the information you need to know if you have a toothache.

Contact Your Dentist

If your tooth hurts, talk to your dentist. Depending on the severity of the problem, your dentist may recommend that you come in immediately for an emergency appointment. If the pain is not bad, the dentist may ask you to come in as soon as you’re reasonably able.

Manage Your Pain

Whether it’s going to be a couple of hours or a little longer before you see the dentist, it’s important to manage your pain. Below are some options your dentist may recommend.

  • Rinse your mouth with salt water. Mix up a half teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of water. Swish with this in your mouth.
  • Over-the-counter pain medication. Some over-the-counter pain medications, like acetaminophen, can help.
  • Cold compress. A cold compress applied to your face periodically can help if you’re experiencing swelling around the tooth.

Know the Signs of a Dental Infection

If your tooth is infected, get help. Below are some signs of a dental infection:

  • Severe toothache
  • Swelling around the teeth
  • Discoloration on the tooth
  • Chronic bad breath

If you have a toothache, you may have a cavity and need a tooth filling in Miramar, FL. You may even have a dental infection. Either way, it’s important to see the dentist. Call today to make your appointment.