Professional teeth cleaning is an integral part of general dentistry in Webster. Alongside regular exams, it provides effective preventive care and gives you a solid foundation for lasting oral health. Despite being so important, 65% of U.S. adults haven’t had a dental exam or cleaning in the past year.[1] It’s an essential part of your oral and overall health, so here are a few reasons you should prioritize routine professional cleaning.
1. Preventing Cavities
Professional teeth cleaning is vital to supporting ongoing oral hygiene and preventing issues such as cavities. Removing plaque and tartar accumulating over time and in difficult-to-reach spots helps manage bacteria levels and prevent tooth decay.
During your routine dental visit, the deep clean tackles areas you can’t easily reach with regular brushing and flossing. These areas are prone to bacteria that secrete acid, which is responsible for eroding tooth enamel and cavities. The professional tools used by your dentist or hygienist are designed to clean these areas and remove the bacteria.
2. Avoiding Tooth Loss
Regular preventive dental care improves your teeth and gum health. Removing plaque helps prevent gum disease, which is caused by bacteria buildup on the gum line.
As gum disease advances, it leads to serious issues such as gum recession. Eventually, the supporting tissue around your teeth weakens and causes tooth loss. Regular cleanings and checkups with a dentist will help prevent tooth loss and costly dental procedures to replace missing teeth by catching early signs of gum disease before it can progress.
3. Detecting Oral Health Issues Early
When you come in for a regular dental visit, you’ll receive both a professional teeth cleaning and a thorough exam. This examination is essential to detect potential dental problems early.
Identifying issues such as cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer as early as possible allows for better outcomes and less invasive treatment. Skipping routine appointments leaves opportunity for these issues to develop unseen, impacting your oral health.
4. Preventing Bad Breath
Persistent bad breath is usually caused by bacteria in your mouth. As the bacteria metabolize food, they release gasses that cause the familiar smell of chronic bad breath.[2] Bad breath could also be a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.
Keeping up with routine dental visits allows you to address these issues with your dentist. Additionally, during professional cleaning, plaque and tartar deposits are removed, which means fewer bacteria in your mouth and, as a result, less bad breath.
5. Improving Overall Health
Your overall health is closely linked to your oral health. This is why maintaining good and consistent oral health supports your overall health as well, reducing your risk of developing various serious conditions.
Gum disease is commonly associated with various serious issues, as the spread of infection and inflammation affect your body. When you ignore your oral health, you can find yourself at higher risk of heart attack, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems.[3]
6. Enhancing Your Smile
Have you noticed your smile isn’t quite the shade you’d like it to be? While teeth stains can be caused by various sources, such as coffee and wine, discoloration can also result from plaque buildup.
Plaque buildup has a distinct dull, yellow appearance, which can affect your smile. Professional dental cleaning removes that buildup to achieve a brighter, healthier-looking smile that you won’t hesitate to share with the world.
7. Saving Money in the Long Run
Oral health issues only worsen over time when left untreated, so prevention is always the smartest approach. Maintaining your oral health with professional teeth cleanings helps you avoid more costly treatment down the line. By being proactive and scheduling your professional teeth cleaning at least once every six months (or as recommended by your dentist), you’ll reduce your risk of needing cavity fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, and more.
General Dentistry in Webster, NY, for All Your Preventive Care Needs
Taking care of your smile with routine teeth cleanings and other preventive dental services provides a foundation for lasting oral health and a wide range of benefits. Empire Dental Care has routine dental cleanings, exams, and a full range of general dentistry in Webster to keep your smile healthy and strong. Book your next appointment by calling 585-671-1650 or contacting us online today.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/dental.htm
