People can accomplish good oral hygiene by doing these five things:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss daily
- Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash
- Eat properly
- Visit the dentist regularly
Many people do at least three of these things but often neglect regular dental cleanings. While your teeth may look and feel healthy, without visiting the dentist at least twice a year, it’s impossible to know for sure. Dentists have the tools, resources, and knowledge to detect oral health problems below the surface.
Need a little more convincing? Here are five ways regular dental cleanings can improve your oral and overall health.
1. Dental cleanings prevent cavities.
Although a good at-home oral hygiene routine and a healthy diet are the best defenses against cavities, dental cleanings are the next in line. Dentists can reach the areas of the mouth that are difficult—like the back molars and the backside of the front teeth.
Sometimes, these areas don’t get cleaned as well as the rest of the mouth so bacteria begin to build up. The plaque can eventually turn into tartar and will lead to tooth decay or gum disease. Both problems develop slowly, so a six-month dental cleaning appointment should keep them at bay.
2. The risk of tooth loss is significantly decreased.
Gum disease causes more tooth loss than any other oral health problem. In most cases, the disease develops over a long period of time without the patient realizing it. Though the symptoms may reveal themselves, many people ignore them until it’s too late to save the teeth.
Dental cleanings allow dentists to prevent or stop the development of periodontal disease.
3. Regular dental cleanings remove stains.
Coffee, tea, and red wine are just a few of the top tooth-staining agents. Luckily, these stains can be easily removed when a patient visits the dentist regularly. However, if a person doesn’t attend regular dental cleanings, the stains may require professional teeth whitening—a much more expensive procedure.
4. Bad breath can be eliminated or reduced.
Bad breath could be a sign of gum disease, or it could be the cause of something as simple as what you ate for dinner. Many times, consistent bad breath can be eliminated by a regular dental cleaning.
If gum disease is the cause, the dentist may recommend a deeper dental cleaning or other treatments.
5. Dental cleanings reduce the development of overall health conditions.
Oral health is directly connected to overall health. Sometimes, certain diseases can affect the health of your teeth and gums, but in many cases, any unhealthy mouth has negative impacts on the rest of the body as well.
When tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues are present, their symptoms can spread to other parts of the body. Here are some of the overall health problems linked to poor oral health:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Head and neck cancers
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Experience the Benefits of Dental Cleanings Today
Now is the time to prioritize your oral and overall health. Don’t let nerves, fear, or a busy schedule keep you from living a healthier, happier life.
Our friendly, Denver dental team is prepared to restore your smile and health today. Call 303-534-2626 to schedule your appointment.
