Dental Cleaning

Most people assume flossing and brushing their teeth two times per day will suffice for oral health care. The truth is you need a professional dental cleaning at least once every six months. Flossing and brushing at home will only do so much for your teeth. The dentist's nuanced dental instruments and expertise are necessary to eliminate plaque, tartar, bacteria, stains, and discoloration from your teeth. Skip your 6-month dental visits and you run the risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and/or significant oral pain. It is time to start viewing your dental cleanings as just as important if not more important than your annual physical exam. Here's why more and more people are beginning to put just as much emphasis on oral healthcare as care for the rest of the body.

Dental Cleanings can Improve Your Overall Health

There is a common misconception cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems are limited to the mouth. The truth is problems that start in the mouth can lead to issues across the entirety of the body. If plaque or bacteria move from your teeth and gums into your bloodstream, they will be carried to other parts of your body, wreaking havoc along the way.

6-month Dental Cleanings can Save You a Bundle of Money

On the surface, this statement seems ludicrous. After all, most patients have to fork over a copay for their dental appointment. Those who lack health insurance typically pay in cash. Have your mouth analyzed and treated every six months and you will likely ward off potentially worse dental problems. The little bit of money you pay for your 6-month dental cleanings and checkups really can prevent even costlier dental procedures down the line such as tooth extractions, root canals, the placement of dental implants, fitting for dentures, and so on.

The Dentist Provides a Truly Comprehensive Cleaning

As noted above, flossing and brushing at home will not suffice in and of itself. Your mouth needs more of an in-depth cleaning performed by a professional dentist. This comprehensive cleaning will address hardened tartar that has accumulated beneath the gum line. The sad truth is plenty of patients have strong, clean teeth yet their gums suffer inflammation due to the presence of gingivitis. Other patients have lovely teeth in the front but have neglected their back teeth to the point that they have considerable decay. You have no way of addressing the buildup of tartar or considerable tooth decay with at-home cleanings. The bottom line is everyone requires a professional dental cleaning at least once each six months regardless of how thoroughly or frequently brushing and flossing is performed.

Dental Cleanings Combat Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is one of the worst possible outcomes of neglected oral health problems. Neglect your teeth long enough and you just might end up in a situation where tooth extraction is necessary. Though there are a couple of different ways to replace teeth after extraction, it is better to avoid extracting teeth in the first place. Meet with the dentist at least once every six months for a thorough review of your oral health and you just might avoid such an unfortunate, uncomfortable and expensive outcome.

Your dentist will determine if you have gum disease. This oral health problem begins with an accumulation of plaque. Plaque is one of the most common causes of adult tooth loss. As gum disease advances, plaque moves even farther down the tooth so it can attack the supporting jaw bone. The weakened jaw bone subsequently causes the teeth to loosen and fall out of the mouth. Abide by a regular schedule of 6-month visits with the dentist, floss, and brush at least two times per day, use mouthwash with regularity and you will have done your part to prevent tooth loss.

Dental Cleanings are Essential for Cavity Prevention

Everyone eventually has that nasty white-colored film that gradually accumulates along the teeth. This film is known as plaque. Plaque is the top cause of tooth decay. If plaque is allowed to remain on your teeth, it will gradually eat away at your tooth enamel. If plaque is unattended for a long enough period of time, it can lead to cavities. Though flossing and brushing will remove some plaque, your teeth need a legitimate dental cleaning provided at the dentist's office to thoroughly eliminate plaque.

A Brighter Smile

Nearly everyone has some degree of tooth staining. After all, who doesn't love coffee, tea, wine, chocolate, blueberries, and candy? These delicious foods and drinks are fulfilling yet they also stain the teeth. Even the use of tobacco can stain the teeth. Every patient can benefit from an in-depth dental cleaning that eliminates stains that have built up along the teeth over time. Your mouth will feel and look perfectly clean after your dental appointment. Continue to meet with the dentist at least once every six months and you will find it is that much easier to maintain a beautiful white and bright smile.

View Your Dental Cleaning as an Information Session

Do not simply sit back and let the dentist go to work during your 6-month cleaning and checkup. This is a fantastic opportunity to raise concerns, pose questions and speak your mind on anything related to oral health. Our dentist is more than happy to field your questions and address your concerns. Our dental team will also explain the current state of your mouth and gums, provide recommendations for improved oral health and help you maximize the beauty of your smile.

Perhaps you are concerned with teeth staining, potential whitening solutions, dental implants for missing teeth, or another oral health solution. Bring up whatever subject is on your mind, pick our dentist's brain and you will walk away from your 6-month dental checkup feeling that much more knowledgeable and confident about your oral health. Our mission is just as much to educate patients as it is to improve their oral health.