If you take excellent daily care of our teeth and gums by brushing and flossing just as your dentist recommends, you might wonder if you really need regular professional dental cleanings. The short answer is: yes.
Don’t get us wrong—your commitment to brushing and flossing is awesome and we encourage you to keep it up—but home dental care alone won’t protect you from tooth decay and gum disease. To make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy, you need to also visit a dental office for professional cleanings. Most dentists recommend cleanings at least twice a year.
Even with excellent home dental care, plaque and tartar accumulate on your teeth, and you can’t remove this buildup with brushing and flossing alone. Removing plaque and tartar reduces your risk of cavities and tooth loss. Research also suggests that regular cleanings might help improve heart health. As an added bonus, cleaning will help whiten your teeth and remove stains from coffee and tea. You’ll also have fresher breath—and who doesn’t love that?
Another reason to visit you dentist’s office for regular cleanings is that you’ll also stay on schedule for checkups and X-rays. This way your dentists and hygienists will be able to spot any signs of cavities, gum disease, or other dental issues early, before they become a serious problem. Because you can’t prevent tartar and plaque with home dental care alone, you can’t completely protect yourself from cavities and gum disease. Even for the most dedicated brushers and flossers, dental exams are a must.
To get the most out of professional cleanings, keep up your good work at home in between dental visits. This means brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using a mouth rinse to freshen breath and help wash away plaque.
Are you due for a professional dental cleaning? Contact us today!