8 Reasons Why You Should Take Routine Dental Cleanings Seriously

by Dr. Nick Wentworth

Have you wondered if brushing and flossing are enough for your oral health? Discover why you should take routine dental cleanings seriously.

1.       Maintain a Healthy Smile

While brushing and flossing at home are very important, a cleaning done by a dental professional helps remove plaque and bacteria that may still remain after home care.

Teeth that are clean and well-taken care of can help you feel more confident about your appearance and smile.

2.       Eliminate Dental Phobia

Many people have a phobia of getting dental work. This may stem from the tools in the dentist's office, or it just started at a young age. Routine teeth-cleaning procedures can help reduce your dental phobia, so you become comfortable with dentists and their tools.

3.       Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath (halitosis) is a problem that can hurt your confidence and social life. Surprisingly, halitosis can affect you even when you brush and floss regularly as your toothbrush may struggle to remove plaque buildup from your teeth and under the gums.

Unfortunately, plaque harbors bacteria that produce a terrible odor. Professional dental cleanings are an effective method to eliminate unpleasant-smelling bacteria.

4.       Prevent Gum Disease

Gum or periodontal disease is an infection that affects the gum tissues. Gum infections happen mostly due to improper oral hygiene and plaque buildup on the teeth. As the plaque accumulates on the teeth, it will harden and affect your gums. Professional dental cleanings remove dental plaque, thus reducing the chances of gum disease.

5.       Prevent Cavities

Cavities can affect both adults and kids. While you can prevent cavities by practicing good oral hygiene, people who undergo routine teeth cleanings are less likely to get cavities. Professional dental cleanings remove any harmful buildup that can cause cavity formation.

6.       Prevent Tooth Discoloration

Some foods and drinks are notorious for staining your teeth. However, you can stop your teeth from discoloring by getting a professional dental cleaning every six months.

Your dental professional will remove the stains forming on the teeth before they penetrate the enamel, so your teeth will retain their usual white color.

7.       Detect Oral Health Problems

Routine dental cleanings allow your dentist to detect oral health problems. Some dental problems can go unnoticed if you skip dental checkups. When you visit for cleaning procedures, the dentist examines your mouth thoroughly. They can detect problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and receding gums. The sooner your dentist identifies oral issues, the easier it is to treat them. Dental professionals also provide education on how to improve your oral hygiene habits if there are areas you might be missing.

8.       Boost Your Overall Health

Better oral health can improve your overall well-being. Routine dental cleanings help keep tooth decay at bay and other issues that poor oral health can cause in your body.

Dental cleanings have many benefits that you wouldn’t want to forego. Make sure you have your next appointment with your dentist on your calendar!