Daily brushing and flossing help to keep your teeth and gums clean by eliminating plaques. However, at times, plaques still buildup, and if left there, it can increase the risk of developing decay. That is why our dentist recommends that you get dental cleaning and exam regularly. Here are five reasons why routine dental cleaning and exam is important.
1. Prevents decay
Teeth decay is a silent dental infection as it often develops without symptoms. Bacterial infection is the chief cause of dental cavities. These bacteria are usually found in plaques that get stuck. Without proper brushing and cleaning, the plaques will continue to develop, giving room for bacteria to multiply and attack the teeth.
Professional teeth cleaning removes the plaques and prevents cavities from forming.
Furthermore, regular checkups help with the early detection of cavities and allow the dentist to begin the treatment on time.
2. Freshness the breath
Bad breath or halitosis can be caused by various factors, such as eating smelly foods, and GERD. However, the primary cause of bad breath is plaque accumulation. The more plaque buildup, the higher the risk of developing bad breath. Our dentist in Roswell, GA, will remove plaques from the palate, tongue, gum line, and between the teeth and freshness up your breath.
3. Brighten your teeth
The teeth get discolored because of various factors like smoking and eating staining foods and beverages like coffee, tea, and wine. But, again plaques are culprits for causing stains. The more the sticky films develop on your teeth, the more yellow your teeth will become. Also, decay causes the teeth to develop dark stains. Deep teeth cleaning removes these stains and brightens up your smile. It also reduces the need for teeth whitening treatments.
4. Get oral cancer screening
Did you know that about 53,000 adults suffer from mouth cancer annually? The Oral Cancer Foundation further states that one person succumbs to the complications of oral cancer every day. The problem with oral cancer is not the lack of diagnostic equipment, but rather the late detection.
Mouth cancer has no symptoms in the early stages, and that’s why it goes unnoticed. The OCF recommends people should get oral cancer screening annually, especially if they are at risk. This will increase the chances of surviving it if treatment is started early.
We perform an oral cancer screening during your regular dental checkup. Dr. Judd Shenk will do both the physical and visual screening to check for any abnormal tissues or lesions.
Oral cancer screening is not a diagnostic tool, so if there is any abnormal tissue, the dentist will recommend other tests.
5. Preserves your teeth
Tooth decay can cause the loss of teeth, which is a dental problem. These missing teeth can cause the teeth to weaken and the supporting bone (alveolar) to deteriorate. The longer you stay with the missing teeth, the higher the percentage of bone loss.
Plus, having gaps between your teeth will lead to the need for other restorative dental treatments such as bridges or implants. These treatments help to restore the missing teeth and prevent bone loss.
What to Expect During Your Checkup and Cleaning?
During your appointment, the dentist will perform a comprehensive dental assessment. He will examine your gums and teeth to check for decay, infection, and other dental problems.
Next, our hygienist will use a scaler to remove plaques and tartar from between the teeth and gums. Your teeth are cleaned using a high-powered electric toothbrush and rinsed to remove debris.
Fluoride varnish, gel, or foam is applied to the teeth to act as a shield or protective coating against cavities. The fluoride treatment can be done after every three, six, or 12 months depending on your risk of dental cavities.
After the assessment and cleaning, the dentist may recommend other forms of treatment if you have a dental problem.
How Frequently Should You Visit Our Dentist?
We recommend coming to the dental clinic for assessment and cleaning every six months.
Visit Shenk Dental Care for more information on cleaning and assessment procedures and other general dentistry services.