If you are one of those people who truly take care of their oral health by brushing twice a day, flossing, and steering clear of sugary treats, you may be saying, “Do I need to see the dentist every six months for a cleaning?” Sure, how you care for your teeth daily is very important. However, your routine cannot provide care that only routine professional dental cleanings can provide. Even if you have the best toothbrush and the best brushing technique, not all aspects of oral health can be addressed at home.
Let’s take a look at why routine dental cleanings are important even for patients who have very good oral hygiene habits at home, and how selecting the appropriate dentist in Arnold can be key.
Come, let’s get started!
The Limits of Daily Brushing and Flossing
Regular brushing and flossing eliminate food debris, bacteria, and plaque from the visible surfaces of your teeth. Even with diligent cleaning, it can still be difficult to reach every curve and pocket in your mouth. It is common for plaque to form and hide in spots such as between teeth, the gumline, and the very back teeth (the molars).
Plaque becomes tar by calcifying, and once it develops into tar, it can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist. The plaque and tar that stay on teeth can permanently stay on teeth and/or lead to gum inflammation, halitosis (bad breath), and periodontal disease over time.
Prevention of Gum Disease
One of the greatest threats to your mouth’s health is periodontal disease (gum disease). In the early stage (gingivitis), the symptoms could be minor—swollen gums, slight bleeding, or tenderness. If not addressed, gingivitis can cause periodontitis, a serious infection capable of destroying the bone supporting your teeth and potentially even causing you to lose your teeth.
Regular dental cleanings help to remove plaque and tartar, which are typically the cause of gum disease. More importantly, your dentist can identify the early signs of gum disease and would be able to provide preventive measures to stop it from developing.
Early Detection of Oral Health Issues
Your dental cleaning appointment is more than just a cleaning. The cleaning is also a great opportunity for early detection. During your visit, the dental team will complete a thorough examination of your mouth, which will include:
- Signs of decay
- Symptoms of gum disease
- Development of oral cancer
- Abnormal bite or jaw alignment
- Worn-down or damaged fillings or crowns
Detecting issues when they are small leads to more conservative treatment, improved outcomes, and, at times, reduced costs. For example, if we detect a cavity early enough, it will only require a filling, rather than a root canal or extraction months later.
Professional Tools Clean More Thoroughly
Dentists and hygienists use specialized equipment like ultrasonic scalers and polishers that can remove plaque and tartar, much more effectively than any toothbrush. These tools allow your dental professional to clean areas of the mouth that are too difficult to clean through brushing and flossing.
When dental professionals perform cleanings, they also smooth the surface of the teeth so that bacteria and plaque accumulate less in the future. In other words, you’ll leave with a mouth that feels cleaner and has less future accumulation of plaque and bacteria.
Also read: Top 20 Dentists in Albany, NY
Fresher Breath and a Brighter Smile
Bad breath or halitosis is commonly caused by the food particles, bacteria, and decaying debris that cannot be fully removed through brushing and flossing alone. When tartar builds up, it may even cause bad breath, delaying the relief you may receive with mouthwash
With a professional clean, these agents that cause bad breath are eliminated, your mouth is fresh, and the breath is pleasant. Polishing completes the cleaning for you, allowing for the removal of surface stains like coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco and making your smile whiter/ brighter right at the cleaning and no whitening is needed.
Personalized Oral Health Advice
Everyone has a different mouth. When you go to the dentist for a cleaning, you’re able to receive personal recommendations based on your unique mouth. Personalized recommendations might include advice on brushing techniques, a specific toothbrush or toothpaste, and dietary recommendations that may affect oral health. Your dental team can help you improve your routine.
If you have dental appliances such as braces, retainers, or dentures, regular visits are very important. Your dentist will be able to review the condition of your appliances or any other issue that could potentially detrimentally affect your oral health.
Cost Savings
While putting off your cleanings may save you money in the short term, you may end up paying for new, costly procedures. Preventive care, such as cleanings and exams, allows your dentist to catch small problems before they become expensive procedures like crowns, root canals, and gum surgery.
Most dental insurances even cover preventive services like exams and cleaning at 100%. If you are skipping appointments, you are essentially skipping benefits that you are already paying for.
Maintains Your Dental Work
If you have had fillings, crowns, implants or other types of dental work, routine check-ups are important. Check-ups allow your dentist to keep an eye on any dental work and ensure functions and remains a good condition. A professional cleaning is also part of that, and it helps keep them clean and functioning properly, so you do not have issues developing, such as decay around the edges of crowns or further wear and tear of bridges.
Your dentist may also be able to help identify signs of bruxism (teeth grinding), which can wear restorations down and recommend possible solutions.
Reduces Dental Anxiety
For many people, the dental trip certainly brings anxiety with it. Ironically, the more you avoid the dentist, the more likely it is that you need to see him/her for something more serious and more invasive. However, if you get preventive cleaning (recommended every 6-12 months) done regularly, you will get used to the routine and hopefully know your dental professionals better, which should help you stay much more comfortable and at ease.
Health professionals have noted that regular and positive exposure to the dental environment leads to reduced risk of dental anxieties, particularly in kids and adolescents. Early positive reinforcement can lead to a lifetime of good oral habits.
Lifestyle Factors That Increase the Need For Regular Cleanings
You may be brushing and flossing regularly, but some lifestyle choices and habits can lead to a more frequent need for cleaning:
Smoking Or Tobacco Use
Tobacco not only leaves stains on your teeth but also enhances the buildup of plaque and tartar. Smokers, therefore, are at a considerably higher risk for gum disease and oral cancers.
High Amounts Of Sugar Or Acidic Food Consumption
Consumption of soda, sugary foods, acidic foods, and snacks degrades enamel and causes decay, which brushing can help, but a dedicated cleaning helps make sure these problems do not go unchecked.
Constantly Snacking And Sipping
The constant exposure of your teeth to food and drink throughout the day can cause constant acid attacks on your teeth and create too much erosion of your enamel.
Dry mouth (Xerostomia)
Saliva is really important because it helps wash away bacteria and helps normalize acids. If you have a condition or take medications that reduce your saliva, you will be at a higher risk for cavities and gum problems.
If you identify with any of these factors, your dentist may suggest more frequent visits, such as every three to four months instead of every six.
Selecting a Dentist in Arnold
When you are living in or around Arnold, it’s very important to find a trusted dental professional so you can feel great about taking care of your oral health. You want to find a dentist who:
- Has a positive reputation in the community
- Provides comprehensive preventive and restorative services
- Takes the time to educate and communicate with patients
- Provides patients with the best available care, including modern technology for caring for patients comfortably and efficiently
A dentist who focuses on patient-centered care will provide you with an excellent cleaning experience and work with you to establish a long-term plan for your dental health.
Final Thoughts
Even with brushing twice a day and consistent flossing, professional dental cleanings are necessary for a healthy mouth. They clear hardened plaque beyond your brushing and flossing routine, identify early signs of issues that could affect your oral health, prevent gum disease, and ensure a clean and healthy mouth.
Not completing your full dental care routine with professional cleanings can lead to lost time, money, and possibly tooth loss, and it can impact your systemic health as well. Think of it this way; brushing is your daily professional cleaning; cleanings are your two necessary deep cleaning visits!
If you are due for the cleaning or just want to verify that everything is on track, make an appointment with a trusted dentist. It is a small step to take for a lifetime of healthy smiles, confidence, and health.
