Why Dental Cleanings Are Essential

You may exercise regularly, eat well, and go to the doctor for regular annual exams, but do you visit your dentist regularly? If not, you’re not doing all that you can for your oral health. Here’s what you should know about why regular appointments with the dentist and regular dental cleanings are so essential to your oral health long-term—

Preventative Care

The primary reason that going to the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning is important is that cleanings are a form of preventative care. Like most things in life, it’s much easier to prevent a problem rather than have to remedy a problem. Regular oral cleanings can be useful in preventing the following: 

• Cavities. Cavities are extremely common, especially in those who don’t regularly brush, floss, and get dental cleanings one or two times per year. Not only can you prevent cavities with regular dental care, but you can also prevent major cavities that require crowns to treat.
• Gum disease. Gum disease is very serious and, once it sets in, it can be difficult to remedy and can lead to pain, discomfort, infection, and other complications. When you go to the dentist for your regular cleanings, your dentists will assess the health of your gums; if anything seems amiss, your dentist can make recommendations about how to change your habits to prevent gum disease. 
• Damaged teeth. Sometimes, infections and cavities become so bad that teeth suffer irreversible damage. And it’s not just infections and cavities—grinding and clenching teeth can lead to tooth damage, too. If you get your teeth cleaned regularly, your dentist can check for damage and offer preventative care before it gets really bad. 
• Oral health complications. In addition to cavities, gum disease, and damaged teeth, failing to take care of your mouth can lead to bad breath, inflammation of the gums, missing teeth, cracked teeth, infections, and other oral health complications—none of which anyone wants to deal with. 

What to Expect During Your Dental Cleaning

Going to the dentist can induce anxiety in some people. If you are nervous about going to the dentist, knowing what to expect may help you to calm yourself. During a typical dental exam, you should expect a physical examination of your teeth, x-rays, the removal of plaque and tartar, a tooth-brushing deep clean, flossing, and fluoride. Talk to your dentist if you have specific questions. 

Schedule Your Dental Cleaning Today

Getting your teeth cleaned regularly can help to prevent serious oral diseases and issues. To schedule a teeth cleaning at your convenience, reach out to Distinctive Dental Solutions directly today.