Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day should ideally help you maintain good oral hygiene. It helps remove plaque that builds up on your gums and teeth. However, even when following dental best practices, there will be certain areas of your mouth that are either hard to reach or you might miss. When plaque builds up, it can turn into a hardened substance called calculus or tartar that you won’t be able to remove with a toothbrush. Dentists have the proper equipment to scale or gently scrape your teeth during a professional dental cleaning.
Calculus consists of plaque bacteria that produces toxins. These toxins will inflame and infect your gums and eventually lead to gum disease. Therefore, the most effective dental hygiene involves brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day and visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups. Experts have discovered that going for dental cleanings at least twice a year is an effective way of keeping the mouth healthy and functioning optimally. Here are seven additional reasons why regular dental cleanings are essential. So, don’t hesitate to visit a dentist when you feel dental discomfort.
For Thorough Cleaning
There is a limit to how clean your mouth can get, even with a strict regimen of brushing and flossing.
No amount of brushing can clean off tartar, a hard film on the teeth formed by the buildup of debris.
The dentist has specialized equipment that can scrape off the toughest plaque, giving you a truly clean and fresh mouth.
Dirt and debris that have gotten embedded in spots that are out of reach of the toothbrush will also be removed.
To Prevent Oral Conditions
The family dentists at Rio Rancho Smiles in Rio Rancho, NM, suggest routine dental cleanings to help prevent oral health problems such as cavities and gum disease.
With regular dental cleanings, your mouth would be free from bacteria that cause infection and erode the outer shell of the teeth, thereby causing cavities.
Teeth sensitivity and discomfort while eating would also be prevented as your teeth will be at their healthiest.
For Early Detection of Diseases
As dental hygienists cleans your teeth, they note the features in your mouth to detect any abnormalities.
During dental check-ups, the dentist performs an in-depth examination of your teeth and takes x-rays of your jawbone.
We all know that a dentist will check out your gums and teeth. But, did you know that your oral health is indicative of your overall health?
As a matter of fact, dentists are often able to identify early signs of medical conditions that you and your doctor might not be aware of.
Some common diseases a dentist can detect include:
- Diabetes with symptoms such as dry mouth, receding gum tissue, bleeding, and loosening teeth
- Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disorders can result in white mouth lesions with red circles before progressing to more advanced symptoms such as cramping and diarrhea
- Oral cancer diagnosed early greatly reduces the need for invasive treatment and saves lives
- Malnutrition or eating disorders cause symptoms like dry mouth, erosion of the front teeth, bleeding gums, and tooth decay
- Heart disease is often found in people with gum disease which is why it is important for your dentist to prevent or manage the inflammation caused by gum disease
- Stress presents itself during an oral exam as bruxism (grinding or clenching of the teeth) and can cause toothaches, earaches, headaches, and jaw pain
The dentist can’t make a medical diagnosis, but will suggest you seek additional testing or advice from your doctor should your dental exam show worrisome signs.
Early detection of diseases facilitates a good prognosis and reduces the risk of complications.
For Formulation of Treatment Plans
Once your dentist detects an abnormality, he will prescribe treatment options. The severity of the condition determines the kind of procedure or treatment that will be recommended to you.
With regular visits, your dentist can track your healing progress and detect the need to alter the treatment.
Invasive and extensive procedures can be avoided, thereby saving you from additional pain and expenses.
To Prevent Systemic Diseases
Oral health has a direct relationship with the health of other organs and systems in the body. Most of the conditions that affect the mouth can lead to diseases in other parts of the body.
For instance, gum disease can cause cardiovascular diseases, which can severely impair blood circulation.
Sometimes infections will spread from the mouth to vital internal organs where they can have fatal effects.
To Improve the Appearance of The Mouth
The teeth are one of the features that get noticed immediately in the first contact with a person. Stains and bad breath can quickly alienate people and make them unwilling to get close and converse.
Dental practices offer a wide variety of teeth whitening treatments that can remove the toughest stains.
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, usually requires treatment that goes beyond brushing and flossing.
The dentist can recommend medications and lifestyle changes that can be used to combat foul breath.
To Maintain Oral Health
Some lifestyle choices can be very detrimental to our oral health and can cause gradual deterioration of the teeth.
Regular cleanings allow your dentist to have a detailed record that helps them keep track of your oral health.
Poor oral hygiene is easily detected and corrected. The dentist will also offer advice on which practices to maintain and those that need to be dropped.
You would be able to see the long-term benefits of your oral regimen, thereby motivating you to keep up with it.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are numerous important reasons to get regular dental cleanings. If you don’t take care of your oral health by brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular visits to the dentist, you are putting yourself at risk for a host of health issues.
Dental professionals are trained not only to care for your gums and teeth, but also to have a keen eye open for potential medical issues that manifest themselves in your mouth.