Many people assume that if they practice good oral hygiene at home, they won’t have to go to the dentist. But although at-home care is essential, it’s only the first step in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
A professional dental cleaning provides many benefits you can’t get at home. Only a trained dental professional can remove tartar and identify the early warning signs of problems like cavities and gum disease.
Here’s why you should think twice before you skip a teeth cleaning appointment.
How Often Should You Get Your Teeth Cleaned?
How often dental cleanings are necessary depends on the state of your oral health. As a general rule, you should schedule dental cleanings every six months to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
However, if you have a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay, you may need to see the dentist every three months. Certain conditions like dry mouth, the medications you take, or lifestyle habits like smoking can make more frequent cleanings necessary.
Four Reasons Why Dental Cleanings Are Necessary
1: To Prevent Cavities and Gum Disease
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily like you’re supposed to, you can still develop cavities or a serious gum infection called periodontal disease.
That’s because the sticky film on teeth known as plaque can harden into tartar in just 48 hours. Both plaque and tartar contain harmful bacteria that wear down tooth enamel and inflame the gums—the difference is that tartar can only be removed with professional dental instruments.
Having your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year significantly lowers your risk of these serious dental conditions. In some cases, dental cleanings can even reverse the early onset of cavities or gum disease. But if you skip your dental cleanings, cavities and periodontal disease can cause lasting damage and even tooth loss.
2: To Detect Hidden Dental Problems
Dental cleanings also include an exam with radiographs (x-rays) at least once a year. The x-rays show us whether you have any impacted teeth, deep decay, alignment issues, or other dental problems that may not be otherwise obvious.
At Copper Creek Dental, we can also perform CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scans. CBCT scans create 3D radiographs that are far superior to traditional x-rays, allowing us to detect and diagnose dental problems more accurately.
3: To Identify Potential Problems
During your cleaning and exam, we look for signs of swelling, decay, discoloration, and any other abnormalities that might indicate disease. By identifying the early warning signs, we can plan for immediate, comprehensive treatment to get your oral health back under control.
The sooner that serious issues like oral cancer and periodontal disease are detected and treated, the better the chances of a successful recovery. And in most cases, early detection also means that less invasive treatments will be necessary.
4: You Get Personalized Care
Dr. Google can’t compete with professional dental care. When you search for answers online, you’re going to get general results that may not apply to your situation. If you have any questions or concerns about your dental health, we can give you personalized answers and advice based on your individual needs and current state of health.
Bi-Annual Dental Cleanings in South Jordan, Utah
If you’re due for a dental cleaning, don’t put it off! The compassionate team at Copper Creek Dental aims to give you an award-winning smile. Our comprehensive dental care starts with professional, preventive cleanings.
If you’re suffering from any dental issues, our advanced in-house technology allows us to reduce the time in the dentist’s chair as much as possible. To schedule your next dental cleaning, call us at 801-280-1911 today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (5/23/2023). Photo by Cedric Fauntleroy on Pexels