Many tend to think that because they brush their teeth twice a day (sometimes more), floss religiously, and avoid sugary foods and drinks, they have no reason to get their teeth cleaned at the dentist’s office. What these people don’t know though, is that no matter how well we take care of our dental health at home, we should still have our teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.
Regularly having your teeth cleaned by a professional is essential. It is the best way to prevent a variety of dental and medical problems that mainly arise from improper oral hygiene, such as cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, bone loss, infections, and many more. Here are just some of the reasons why everyone needs to undergo professional teeth cleaning every 6 months.
Tartar Can Only be Removed Professionally
Even the best toothbrushes can not remove all the natural plaque and tartar that tend to build up on our teeth over time. Plaque is a sticky film (not always visible to the naked eye) which eventually hardens on the surface of the teeth in the form of tartar. Once it has formed, it can only be removed by a professional dentist with a set of specific tools.
To Prevent Cavities
When left untreated, tartar eats away the teeth enamel, leaving them open to decay. And it doesn’t take long for that decay to become a big cavity. Of course, regular brushing and flossing can help prevent cavities, but a professional cleaning is also necessary to ensure all the plaque is removed.
To Prevent Gum Disease
Tartar build-up also has an impact on your gums dues to the fact that it is loaded with bacteria that can cause infections, such as gum disease. Professional teeth cleaning will stop bacteria in its tracks, hence help reduce the development of gum disease – the main cause of tooth loss.
To Remove Stains
Coffee, wine, soft drinks and tobacco are known to cause stains on the teeth enamel. Professional cleaning can help remove these stains, leaving your teeth brighter. Plus, it can also help deal with bad breath which is mainly a result of all the little bits of food that somehow get trapped between your teeth and you cannot remove when flossing.
Aside from all of the above mentioned, when you have your teeth professionally cleaned your dentist can give you some tips on how to improve your dental health. For example, you might be brushing your teeth the wrong way or not flossing properly without even knowing it. Worry not – when dealing with an experienced professional, you’ll get the best answers to all of your dental-related questions.
