If you’re committed to brushing and flossing your teeth daily, congratulations! These oral care
practices are instrumental in helping to keep tooth decay and gum disease away. Although an
important part of any oral care routine, visiting your dentist is still a necessity.
When you brush and floss regularly, why do you still need to get your teeth professionally
cleaned? Here are the top reasons why you’ll want to schedule that appointment, even if your
teeth look and feel fine.
Plaque Can Easily Build Up
Brushing your teeth is great, although unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to remove all the
plaque. Research shows that many people routinely miss certain areas of their teeth, and if
you’re not flossing or skip flossing regularly, you’re missing even more plaque. Built-up plaque
can turn into tartar over time.
Tartar is a hard substance that’s impossible to remove at home. Removing tartar and built-up
plaque regularly with professional teeth cleanings can help reduce your risk for cavities and
gum disease. Your dentist can talk with you about areas you’re missing during your visit to help
improve your brushing habits!
You May Be Predisposed to Oral Health Problems
Everything about us is the result of genes that we inherited from our parents. This is true for
tooth and gum health as well. You may be genetically predisposed to tooth decay and gum
disease, even if you brush and floss regularly. This is why it’s so important to visit your dentist
for cleanings. They can give you the extra help you need for preventative care when it comes to
your smile.
Some people also have a specific mouth structure that’s more difficult to clean than other
peoples’. This includes a smaller mouth with crowded or crooked teeth. These spaces are nearly
impossible to clean properly with home care, making a dentist visit every few months essential
to keeping plaque and tartar away.
Benefit from a Dental Exam
While you’re at the dentist getting your professional cleaning, your dentist can perform a
dental exam to assess your oral health. This includes an oral cancer screening, which should be
done annually starting at age 18, and other preventative measures. Your dentist can tell when a
cavity is in the works and together, you can put steps into place to prevent it.
Your dentist will also help you improve your home care habits to stop cavities and tooth decay.
Removing these bacteria regularly may help improve heart health by keeping bacteria out of
the bloodstream. Professional teeth cleanings also regularly remove surface stains on the teeth,
keeping your smile as bright as possible.
The verdict is in—cleaning your teeth daily is essential, but so are regular dentist visits with
professional teeth cleanings. This way, you have a 360 protection plan against harmful oral
diseases and cavities. To protect your teeth as much as possible, schedule a visit with your
dentist and keep up with your healthy brushing and flossing habits!
