5 Reasons You Should Get a Teeth Cleaning Every 6 Months
Dentists are doctors with a special obligation. They maintain their patients’ teeth, gums, and jaws.
Many people don’t understand how important that is. A CDC survey in 2019 revealed that only 65% of Americans went to the dentist in the last year. Most people should go every six months.
What makes routine teeth cleaning so essential? What are the risks that threaten your dental health? What are some teeth cleaning benefits for overall health?
We’ll answer these questions below so that you can maintain great dental hygiene for years to come. Here are five benefits of visiting your dentist for a teeth cleaning.
1. Dentists Eliminate Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is a sticky deposition that forms on all surfaces of your teeth. You may feel plaque when your tongue rolls over the back of your teeth. You may notice yellow or pale discoloration when you open your mouth.
Plaque may seem harmless, but it harbors bacteria. These bacteria can contribute to cavities that dentists then must fill in.
You may be able to remove some plaque by regularly brushing your teeth, but it can hide in between your teeth or along your gums where brushing alone is not very effective. With enough time, the plaque will form tartar.
Tartar is a hardened version of plaque. It can make your teeth appear yellowish-white and it can inflame your gums. If it builds up, it can lead to gum disease.
Your dental hygienist is a professional in removing plaque and tartar. They can reach into the far corners of your mouth and remove the plaque and tarter. They can also recommend specific mouthwashes that will kill any leftover bacteria.
2. You Learn About Good Dental Hygiene
Many people don’t follow basic rules for dental hygiene. A survey by Unum in 2019 found that 17% of Americans brush their teeth for one minute at a time, which is not long enough.
It is possible to engage in too much hygiene. The same 2019 survey found that 13% of Americans brush their teeth for four or more minutes at once. This can wear on tooth enamel and aggravate the gums.
Your dentist can teach you about best hygienic practices. They can demonstrate how to start cleaning your teeth, reaching the far corners of your mouth. If you need suggestions for products you can buy, your dentist can give you good recommendations.
3. Dentists Can Perform X-Rays
An X-ray is a powerful tool.
Your dentist can use an X-ray to detect many different diseases. Gum disease, for example, can lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a condition where the tooth’s supporting tissues breakdown and become compromised. X-rays can also show your dentist if you have wisdom teeth and if your mouth can support these teeth or if they will need to be removed. An X-ray can also reveal cysts, cancers and other jaw diseases.
These X-ray images can reveal abnormalities in the mouth or jaw that are not visible by simple observation. So, if you suffer from constant pain, your dentist can use these to determine the cause of the problem.
4. Your Teeth Won’t Fall Out
When you read the words, “tooth loss,” you may think about an accident. It is true that a collision or fall can knock your teeth out, but there are many other causes for tooth loss. As mentioned previously, periodontal disease can damage the structure of your teeth and cause them to fall out.
Cavities can also penetrate into the center of your teeth. You may notice the seven signs of cavities, but you may not. If they are not cleaned out and filled in, you may end up with tooth lose because if the tooth is broken down enough with decay, it may become unrestorable to your dentist.
Preexisting conditions can facilitate tooth loss. An autoimmune disease like diabetes prevents your body from fighting off bacterial infections. This can allow bacteria to spread and damage your gums. In these cases, it is especially important to visit the dentist for regular teeth cleanings.
5. Dentists Can Detect Signs of Other Diseases
Oral health is a good indication of overall health. Bacteria in the mouth can penetrate into the bloodstream and cause infections like endocarditis and pneumonia.
Oral health can even affect psychological conditions. Smiling, for example, can increase your confidence and self-esteem. But if your teeth have noticeable plaque or you have bad breath due to bacteria, you may be reluctant to smile or even laugh.
Get a Teeth Cleaning From Trained Professionals
A proper teeth cleaning keeps your teeth clean and helps avoid a lot of pain and suffering. Plaque and tartar can build up, even if you brush well, so you need a trained professional like your dentist to remove them. They can prevent tooth loss from gum and bone disease, cavities, and other diseases. They can also help you have healthier looking teeth so you’re not embarrassed to smile.
Ashley Dental offers several experienced professionals at our dental office in Hudson to help you achieve optimal oral health. Request an appointment today.