You may have heard that it’s important to get a tooth cleaning every six months, and it’s true! Both your personal dentist and the American Dental Association will make this recommendation. If you are wondering why routine teeth cleaning is so important and why you should never skip teeth cleaning when working on improving your dental health, then this article is for you.
Why You Should Never Skip Teeth Cleaning
Prevent Tooth Loss and Decay
One key reason to get regular cleanings every six months is to prevent tooth loss and decay. If you avoid professional cleanings, you put yourself at more risk for gum disease, tooth loss, and the spread of decay, which can all lead to devastating dental health losses later in life.
Gum Disease and Gingivitis
Developing gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss and means that the tissues in your mouth that support your teeth have become infected. While you can reverse gingivitis, there is no cure for infections in the periodontal ligaments. It is treatable, but not reversible.
If you have gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, you may show symptoms such as red, inflamed gums or bleeding gums. The infection in your gums could develop into a condition called periodontitis. Gum health issues, such as gum recession, are sometimes hereditary but could also be caused by improper oral hygiene. This is just one good reason among many to make sure you get your regular cleanings!
Tooth Decay
Another good reason is that regular cleanings can help with preventing tooth decay. Small cavities are common, but if left untreated can lead to a badly decaying tooth. Waiting a few years to see a dentist could lead to your entire tooth becoming decayed, at which point you would need more dental procedures. For example, if you suffer tooth decay, you may need to get a crown on the affected teeth.
Improve Your Overall Physical Health
Many people don’t realize that your oral health is closely tied to the rest of your physical health! But dentists know that heart and lung conditions can actually be associated with poor dental health. Some studies have also shown signs of an association with other serious conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Risks of Poor Dental Health
Other potential risks include painful conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. If you suffer from poor oral health and have a baby, there is also some research that indicates an association between gum disease and low birth weight. Good oral hygiene may be hard to make into a habit, but it is worth it!
When you go to the dentist, they will take note of the health of your lips and tongue. They will also examine the lymph nodes in your neck. All of these checks are to make sure you don’t show risk signs of oral cancer. Of course, habits like smoking tobacco can put you at increased risk for oral cancers, but even non-smokers could develop oral cancer.
Learn More About Good Oral Hygiene Today!
Your dental hygienist and dentist can help advise you about any areas in your mouth that you are missing. It’s important to brush your teeth and floss carefully, but it’s easy to miss an area without professional guidance. In addition, getting professional cleanings twice a year gives you a much deeper clean than you can do on your own.
These regular cleanings can also help with cosmetic concerns, such as coffee stains. Your teeth will be brightest with regular cleanings, but your smile might be dull and permanently stained without regular professional cleanings! If this article has convinced you to make an appointment, don’t hesitate. Make an appointment today! Dr. Shodhan’s dental office in Desert Hot Springs is here to help you. We want you and your smile to be as healthy as possible!
