What You Get From Regular Professional Tooth Cleanings
It’s easy to ignore those routine dental cleanings, especially if you don’t have any pain. However, a tooth cleaning is an important piece of your overall dental health. Check out these five benefits you get from regular professional cleanings.
1. Lower Risk of Cavities
Of course, the most obvious benefit of regular dental cleanings is less risk of cavities. As plaque and tartar build up on your teeth, they damage your tooth enamel. If left untreated, this leads to tooth decay or cavities. Regular brushing and flossing at home removes easy-to-reach plaque. However, a dental cleaning is the best way to get rid of hard-to-clean areas, such as below the gum line. A professional tooth cleaning is also the only way to remove tartar effectively without damaging enamel.
2. Reduced Gum Inflammation
All that plaque and tartar on your teeth doesn’t just affect the tooth tissue. It affects your gums too. Too much tartar can cause your gums to become inflamed and sore. If the tartar isn’t removed, it can lead to gingivitis. With a good cleaning, the tartar is removed, and the inflammation to your gums is reduced. In some cases, the irritation may cause pockets to develop, which harbor plaque and tartar. If these pockets are deep enough, your dentist may suggest scaling and root planing to clean and smooth below the gum line.
3. Brighter Smile
True, the best way to whiten your smile is with tooth whitening. However, if you have tobacco, food or beverage stains on your teeth, such as stains from coffee or red wine, professional cleanings can help remove those. When the dentist polishes your teeth, some of these stains are removed. After your cleaning, you’ll notice, whiter teeth without the need to schedule a tooth whitening session.
4. Increased Chance of Catching Serious Problems Early
Your dentist does more than just clean your teeth. A good dentist also looks for signs of more serious problems. For starters, with X-rays, your dentist looks for any signs of infection that may require a root canal. However, your dentist can spot more deadly problems too. If you show any signs or symptoms of oral cancer, your chances of catching it early vastly increase if you regularly see your dentist for cleanings. Spotting any cancer early is key in winning the fight.
5. Education for At-Home Care
When you go in for your regular dental cleaning, it is the perfect time to ask your dentist questions about your oral health care. Are you unsure about the toothpaste you are using, which type of floss is best, how often should you be flossing, etc.? Find out everything you can do at home to make sure your mouth stays healthy and you don’t have to spend a bunch of money on extensive dental work.
Tooth cleaning is simple, fast and effective, so there is no excuse to skip your next appointment. Cleaning helps to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful without costing a fortune. For more information, or to schedule a cleaning, contact Landmark Dental Group today.