A recent study shows that 25% of adults don’t brush their teeth every day.
Further, 1 in every 4 adults has not visited a dentist at all within the past two years.
You might think that professional teeth cleaning is something that you can put off, or that, because your teeth are healthy now, they’ll continue to remain so in the future.
However, the reality is that scheduling an appointment for a professional teeth cleaning is important not only when it comes to your oral health, but also when it comes to your personal life.
What are the benefits of visiting the dentist regularly?
Read on to find out.
1. You’ll Tackle Plaque
One of the biggest benefits of professional teeth cleaning?
Your dentist will be able to remove the plaque that’s built up in your mouth.
Even if you already practice good oral hygiene, there are likely some places in your mouth that you’ve been unable to reach. The more plaque that has the chance to build up in your mouth, the tougher it will be to remove.
Over time, this plaque turns into tartar — which can eventually cause holes in your teeth. Those holes quickly turn into cavities, which will require a cleaning process that is often painful and expensive.
Stop the chain reaction of plaque and decay by making an appointment with your dentist.
2. You’ll Prevent Gum Disease
Of course, if you’ve delayed visits to the dentist for longer periods of time, then you’re likely already at risk for gum disease.
While plaque might attack your teeth first, eventually, it moves onto the gum tissue in your mouth. Your gum tissue eventually becomes infected by the large buildup of tartar, creating a space between your tooth and your gums.
This will eventually lead to a gum disease called gingivitis.
Not only is gingivitis incredibly painful, the infection also looks unsightly. It can also cause serious bleeding and swelling in the mouth, and you’ll quickly become at risk for losing the tooth.
With regular checkups and cleanings, however, you can stop gingivitis before it starts.
This means that you’ll be able to get a handle on your smile, and avoid having to shell out serious cash for surgeries or complicated procedures down the line.
3. X-Rays Will Detect More Serious Issues
When you get professional teeth cleaning, your hygienist and dentist won’t only focus on the surface of your teeth.
You’ll also have your teeth and mouth x-rayed, which can help dental professionals to get a better look.
These x-rays will help to diagnose and identify potentially serious and painful problems, such as an impacted tooth. X-rays will also help dental professionals to find cysts in the mouth, as well as potential bone decay.
They can also help dental professionals to determine whether or not any damage has been done to your jawbone. Especially if you’re an athlete, this can prevent serious issues that will keep you off the field or court for even longer.
Finally, taking x-rays of your teeth and gums will also help your dentist to find any tumors that are growing in your mouth, which aren’t able to be seen by the naked eye.
4. You’ll Be Screened For Oral Cancer
Many people never stop to consider that oral cancer is something that their dentist can help to detect.
The reality is that, unless you’re a professional, you likely won’t even be aware of the development of oral cancer until it’s too late. This type of cancer progresses at a rapid pace, and is one of the main reasons why it’s so crucial to see a dentist regularly.
If your dentist sees any of the potential signs during your cleaning, they’ll do a screening to be sure.
The good news?
If you catch this cancer early, it’s incredibly easy to treat.
So, make that appointment once every six months.
5. Your Confidence (And Prospects) Will Grow
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a professional teeth cleaning is that it helps you to feel better and more confident about your appearance.
When you like the way you look, you’ll be a lot more likely to go after the things you want out of life.
However, it’s not only your own self-image that will improve as a result of taking care of your teeth. Studies show that people who have made proper dental care a part of their regular routine are seen as smarter, more popular romantically, and even more successful than those with crooked or yellowed teeth.
What’s more?
About 28% of job applicants are turned down for a job because of the way their teeth look.
This means that clean, white, and healthy teeth won’t just help you to feel better about yourself, they’ll also help others to think of you first for new opportunities.
Need A Professional Teeth Cleaning?
We hope that this post has helped you to understand the importance of regular professional teeth cleaning.
Remember, not only will biannual visits to the dentist prevent cavities and gum disease. Visiting the dentist will also help you to detect oral cancer early, cut off any other potential problems before they become more serious, and improve your overall confidence.
Looking for a dentist you can trust?
At Doug Lewis Dentistry, we provide a wide range of dental services — and even help patients with dental anxiety to feel more comfortable.
When you’re ready to see all the benefits of professional teeth cleaning, get in touch with us to schedule an appointment.
We can’t wait to make your smile brighter than ever.