John D. Luker, DDS
997 Clocktower Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62704
(217) 546-8330



By Luker Dental Care
December 19, 2017
Category: Oral Health

Have you visited the dentist for a checkup this year? When life gets busy, it's easy to forget about making appointments for dental care. preventative dentistryUnfortunately, skipping checkups can affect your oral health. Springfield, IL, dentist Dr. John Luker of Luker Dental Care explains why preventive care is so important.

Problems aren't always obvious

You might think that you would feel pain if you have a cavity, but that isn't always the case. In fact, cavities don't always cause pain unless they're fairly large. When you visit our Springfield office every six months, small cavities can be detected and filled before they can do too much damage to your teeth.

Dr. Luker will also look for other signs of trouble, such as cracks in teeth. Cracks are dangerous because they weaken teeth and allow bacteria to penetrate your tooth enamel. Once a tooth becomes weak, it's much more likely to break one day when you bite into your favorite food. If we do find a crack during your exam, we may recommend covering it with a crown to help you avoid tooth decay or an emergency visit to the dentist due to a fractured tooth.

You can't remove tartar at home

Two substances that coat your teeth can cause problems: plaque and tartar. Plaque is a transparent bacterial film that is responsible for cavities. Brushing and flossing removes the film, although it may be difficult to remove plaque completely if your teeth overlap.

Tartar, a grayish-brown deposit, forms when plaque remains on your teeth for about two weeks or longer. Unlike plaque, tartar can't be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss. The longer tartar remains, the greater your chance of developing gum disease. Luckily, our office has the dental instruments needed to get rid of hard tartar. Every dental checkup includes a thorough cleaning to remove both plaque and tartar.

Checkups help protect your health

Dentists don't just look for signs of cavities and other tooth-related conditions during regular exams. In addition to conducting an oral cancer screening, Dr. Luker will look for changes in your mouth or gums that can indicate a general health problem. For example, enamel erosion may occur if acid reflux causes stomach acids to flow back into your esophagus and mouth, while very pale gums may be a sign of anemia.

Protect your smile with regular dental exams. Call Springfield, IL, dentist Dr. John Luker of Luker Dental Care at (217) 546-8330 to schedule your appointment.