Although some people visit their dentist for an annual checkup, they might skip twice-yearly dental cleanings because they feel they are unimportant. There are several reasons dental cleanings are important to the overall health of your teeth and should not be avoided.
Reduce Staining
Even with a good oral care routine, it can be difficult to prevent or remove stains on your teeth. Most stains are caused by food, beverages, or smoking, and once these stains occur, they often require special products for removal, because the stains become embedded in deeper layers of the teeth. You may feel like whitening products help remove stains and protect your teeth against future staining, but these products could make staining more likely to occur. Whitening products are often abrasive, and can erode the enamel on your teeth, making them more porous and causing them to be more susceptible to staining.
Prevent Tartar Buildup
Routine cleanings are critical for reducing tartar buildup because brushing and flossing alone is not enough. Not only do these cleanings help remove buildup from the gum line and between teeth, but the process creates a smooth canvas that makes it harder for food and bacteria to stick. When you have your teeth cleaned, your dental hygienist will use dental instruments to feel for rough areas, which are indicative of tartar that may not be visible. Once the teeth are smoothed, polishing the teeth serves a similar function. Not only do your teeth appear whiter after polishing, the slick surface is protective against tartar, which is then maintained with your oral care routine.
Slow Gum Disease
Although more invasive cleaning methods are necessary if your dentist sees any signs of early gum disease, basic cleanings remain important for both the prevention or treatment of gum disease. Since cleanings help reduce tartar buildup, the process inherently helps fight against inflammation and the development of pockets at the gum line. Once inflammation becomes established, it is much harder to reverse gum disease without extensive dental treatments and before permanent damage occurs. The cleaning process tackles areas you might unknowingly miss during brushing, but are areas that become vulnerable to gum disease. Your molars and the back of your front teeth are among some areas that are easily missed during brushing and flossing, simply because they are in an awkward location.
Dental cleanings may seem like an unnecessary appointment, but they are critical for having healthy teeth and gums. Since your oral care alone is not perfect, you need cleanings to prevent common dental issues. For more information, contact a dentist such as James V Bachman DMD today.
Share21 December 2018
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.