5 Benefits of Getting a Professional Dental Cleaning

Dental cleaning is a huge part of routine check-ups. The procedure involves using a scaler to scrape off tartar and plaque deposits from the tooth surfaces. Plaque is the sticky film that builds up on teeth, and it hardens into tartar when left on the tooth surfaces for a few days. Both make you more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease.

5 Benefits of getting a dental cleaning

1. Preserves teeth

Professional teeth cleanings get rid of tartar deposits on tooth surfaces, which protects against gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by the acids created by bacteria living in plaque or tartar. Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar get under the gums, leading to irritation and inflammation.

Teeth cleanings often include fluoride treatments as well, which give teeth additional protection against decay. Tooth decay and gum disease are the leading causes of a person’s tooth falling out of its socket.

2. Early detection of health issues

Dentists examine their patients’ teeth before cleaning them so that any existing issues can be diagnosed early. This saves the patient time and money since it is typically a lot easier to treat developing dental issues in their early stages. For example, a small cavity can be treated with a filling, but the same tooth might eventually require a root canal or extraction if the cavity is left untreated.

Dentists also search for abnormal growths like tumors that could be caused by oral cancer, and issues like gum disease that can affect a person’s overall health.

3. Improves the way teeth look

Tartar gives teeth a yellow color and it is more prone to staining than tooth surfaces. Most of the stains you might notice on someone’s teeth are typically stains that form on tartar deposits. Professional teeth cleaning often helps to get rid of most of the stains on a person’s teeth. Removing tartar from tooth surfaces also leads to more effective teeth whitening treatments.

4. Improved general health

Serious health issues like heart disease and pneumonia have been linked to oral health issues like periodontal disease. Oral bacteria can make their way into the respiratory system or bloodstream, leading to a wide range of health issues from cancer to infertility. Taking good care of your mouth helps to keep the rest of your body healthy.

5. Prevents bad breath

Bad breath is typically a symptom of more serious dental issues. Good oral hygiene can help to freshen a person’s breath, but the best solution for bad breath is diagnosing the root cause and addressing it. A therapeutic mouthwash can help control bacteria populations in the mouth and reduce unpleasant smells.