You’ve probably heard somewhere along the way that getting a teeth cleaning every 6 months is a must. But is it really necessary to visit the dentist twice a year? The short answer is yes. Here are 3 reasons why.
1. It’s a check up for your teeth
Just like you go to the doctor for a check up—you need to go to the dentist for a check up on your teeth. Getting your teeth cleaned gives your dentist an opportunity to take a look at your oral health. Are you having any inflammation? Do you have signs of gingivitis? There are things that you might not necessarily be able to see or identify yourself.
Not only will your dental hygienist will look at your teeth for signs of gingivitis, inflammation, bleeding and tenderness, but they will evaluate your mouth for any other issues that are out of the ordinary. Having a check up every six months allows for your hygienist to catch problems you might not recognize before it develops into something worse. By diagnosing problems early, you’re much more likely to return your oral health to a more healthy state.
2. Prevent plaque and tartar build up
Bacteria that causes periodontal disease begins to build on your teeth in less than three months! It’s important to get that off of your teeth before it really hardens and causes gingivitis and periodontitis. When you have your teeth cleaned professionally, it allows the dental hygienist to remove stains and plaque build up from your teeth that your brush and flossing skills might miss.
When you miss plaque, tartar develops when plaque is not completely removed. If you don’t remove tartar, there are long-term effects that can follow. It can cause:
- Irritation to the gum tissue
- Cause bleeding or gingivitis
- Pain
- Bad breath
- Gum disease
You can’t remove tartar at home. A professional cleaning is the only way to get rid of the unsightly tartar that can weaken your overall oral health.
3. Protect yourself from tooth decay
You only get one set of teeth in your lifetime. It’s important to take care of them. Not taking care of your teeth can lead to tooth decay. Not only is it painful and can cause a sense of embarrassment to lose a tooth to tooth decay, it’s also expensive to replace with a dental implant or other dental replacement options.
It’s important to know that tooth decay happens over time. If you are coming to the dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning, we can diagnose the issues causing tooth decay and formulate a plan to save and restore the teeth that are affected.
No one is perfect and getting behind on your teeth cleaning sessions happens. We’re here to help. Whatever your unique case might be, when you come to Fox Point Dental for dental care, you’re in good hands. To schedule a routine dental cleaning today, call us at 303-732-8909 or book an appointment online.
To learn more about our general dentistry services at our Lakewood, Colorado dental clinic, visit this page here.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings are not painful. However, they do involve pressure and tooth vibrations. For some with more sensitive teeth, the cleanings may feel a little uncomfortable. Our team will do whatever we can to ensure you feel comfortable and safe during your dental cleaning.
Ensure you brush your teeth twice a day with a hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Floss and rinse your mouth once a day. And, ensure you visit the dentist twice a year to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Your dental cleaning includes a process called scaling. Using a mirror to see the difficult-to-reach surfaces of your teeth, our hygienist uses a special tool called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line. Our hygienist also polishes your teeth to help remove stains. Lastly, our hygienist applies fluoride to your teeth.
In the case where we spot trouble areas with more build-up of plaque and tartar, we’ll offer tips on the proper brushing and flossing technique, as well as discuss the best toothpaste and oral care tools for your particular needs.
