Have you gotten your teeth cleaned this year? Professional dental cleanings may have a big influence on your overall health in addition to keeping your smile dazzling. Inadequate oral hygiene has been connected to several dangerous ailments. Medical and dental complications include bone loss, cardiovascular disease, strokes, malignancies, and various other ailments. Brushing and flossing at home are important, but to keep your teeth healthy and clean, you should schedule frequent checkups with your dentist and yearly dental cleanings with your dental hygienist.
What Is Dental Cleaning?
Your mouth is home to trillions of bacteria and other microscopic organisms, many of which are beneficial to the health of your teeth and gums. Others can cause problems, such as cavities, periodontal disease, and gingivitis. While brushing and flossing can help to remove food particles from between teeth and reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth, it’s not enough to keep teeth and gums healthy. This is why your dentist and dental hygienist recommend that most people need to visit the dentist every six months for an oral checkup, professional cleaning, and fluoride treatment.
Benefits of Professional Cleaning
Here are seven reasons professional cleanings are so important:
1. Reviewing Proper Oral Hygiene Practices
Your dental hygienist is a professional dental health care provider who can ensure you’re doing all the things you need at home. During your cleaning, your dental hygienist will discuss everything from brushing habits to how much gum tissue is visible to proper flossing. They can also offer advice on the best products to use at home and tips on improving your oral hygiene routine.
2. A More Thorough Cleaning
Professional cleaning will help ensure that your teeth and gums are as clean as possible between appointments with your dentist or dental hygienist. Your dental hygienist will thoroughly remove any plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth and gums. They will also ensure that all your teeth are clean and healthy, and determine if any are at risk for decay or other problems. Your dentist will use your last cleaning as a baseline for future checkups, so your dentist can see any changes that might have occurred.
3. Detect Oral Cancer Early
Early detection of oral cancer can save lives. Your dentist and dental hygienist will be able to spot any suspicious changes early, making it easier to treat when cancer is caught before it has spread.
4. Prevent Cavities
By removing plaque, tartar, and other signs of buildup in between teeth, your dental hygienist can help prevent cavities and other tooth decay.
5. Prevents Bad Breath & Throat Infections
A thorough cleaning is a surefire way to remove bad breath-causing bacteria and odorous particles from your mouth. It can also reduce the risk of developing throat infections.
Conclusion
By regularly visiting your dentist or dental hygienist for checkups, professional cleanings, and fluoride applications, you can ensure that your teeth and mouth are healthy, your smile stays bright, and your entire body stays strong. As many of these diseases and conditions are preventable, it is always important to talk to your dentist about your risk for each.
If you’re looking for a holistic dentist in Northampton, MA, we can help! With more than 25 years of experience, Northampton Dental Specialists Group uses the latest technology to provide you with a high-quality, comfortable dental experience. Our advanced training in many facets of dentistry allow us to perform most procedures right here in our Northampton, MA, office. Request an appointment today!