The American Dental Association recommends patients visit the dentist at least once a year, or at the recommendation of their dentist, for a regular dental cleaning. While some people are adamant about attending these appointments, others don’t see the value in it. Why pay to have someone clean your teeth when you do a pretty good job on your own?
Truthfully, people who brush and floss properly do save themselves from experiencing serious oral and overall health problems, but professional teeth cleanings are an essential part of that process.
Continue reading to learn how attending regular dental cleanings benefit your oral and overall health.
Oral Health Benefits
Even the best brushers can’t reach every nook and cranny of their mouth, but dentists have the advantage of having the proper tools, keen eye, and training to clean the most difficult-to-reach parts of the oral cavity.
Here are four ways teeth cleanings benefit your oral health:
1. Cavity prevention
This isn’t a surprise to most people, but regular dental cleanings significantly decrease a person’s chance of developing cavities. Although you may brush and floss really well, plaque can still buildup on the teeth and lead to tooth decay. Eventually, the acidic substance destroys at the dental enamel and leads to cavities.
For patients who brush and floss properly, this shouldn’t be a major concern except with it comes to the back molars. These teeth can be difficult to keep clean on your own, but a dentist will be able to remove any lingering plaque.
2. Stops tooth loss
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults. This occurs when plaque around the gum line turns into tartar and begins to eat away at the gums and supporting bone in the jaw.
Professional teeth cleanings give dentists the chance to catch gum disease in its earliest stages, so patients never have to experience tooth loss and other damaging symptoms.
3. Removes stains
Before paying for a professional teeth whitening, patients should see how a regular dental cleaning improves the appearance of their smiles. When a person visits the dentist every six months, they are less likely to have yellow-stained teeth because of drinking too much coffee, tea, or wine.
Teeth cleanings leave you with a bright, beautiful smile!
4. Freshens breath
Are you embarrassed by your not-so-fresh breath? This could be a symptom of gum disease, the results of food particles between teeth, or just because of something you ate. Professional teeth cleanings are one of the greatest weapons against bad breath, so don’t forgo these appointments!
Overall Health Benefits
In addition to benefiting oral health, regular dental cleanings can prevent serious overall health problems that are related to oral health. The health of each part of our body is essential to the health of the whole body. If one part of the body isn’t healthy, it will likely affect other parts—that’s what happens when a person develops issues like cavities and gum disease.
When you visit the dentist every six months for a professional teeth cleaning, your risk of developing these health problems is reduced:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Head and neck cancers
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Find “Teeth Cleaning Near Me” Today
Ready to experience all the benefits that regular dental cleanings have to offer? If you live in or around Lombard, IL, Dr. Julie Glud is proud to offer gentle, thorough dental cleanings to patients of all ages. Contact our friendly dental team today at 630-629-5700 to schedule your appointment.
