Regular dental cleanings help prevent serious oral health problems down the road. If left untreated, cavities and gum disease can lead to expensive procedures like root canals and dental implants.
During a dental cleaning, the hygienist removes plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach places in your mouth that you can’t reach with brushing or flossing alone. Additionally, stains are removed and your teeth are polished, resulting in a healthy, beautiful smile.
Prevents Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by bacteria on and around teeth that form a sticky film called plaque. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar that brushes and floss cannot remove. Gum disease leads to gum inflammation and destruction of the bone and tissue that support your teeth. If not treated, it can cause tooth loss. Regular Dental Cleanings Fultondale AL allow us to detect and treat gum disease in its early stages.
The deep cleaning procedure (also known as scaling and root planing) halts the progression of gum disease by removing bacteria from infected areas. The process also removes toxins, promotes healing and shields the roots and jawbones from further damage.
Gum disease is linked to systemic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and respiratory infections. Regular dental cleanings can help reduce the risk of these conditions and improve overall quality of life. This is especially important for those who have a family history of gum disease or other risk factors.
Prevents Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the result of bacteria-laden plaque that builds up on teeth. If not removed, it can erode tooth enamel, eventually causing cavities and gum disease. Gum disease, which starts with gingivitis (a mild inflammation of the gums) can progress to periodontitis, a severe infection that destroys the bone that supports teeth and can lead to loss of teeth.
Dental cleanings remove the hard-to-reach plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing may miss, which significantly reduces the risk of these serious dental problems. In addition, dentists and hygienists often apply fluoride treatments that strengthen enamel and help prevent tooth decay.
Visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings can also aid in early detection of dental issues like oral cancer, cavities, and teeth grinding. By catching these issues at their earliest stages, patients can avoid more extensive treatment and enjoy significant cost savings.
Prevents Stains
Stains on the teeth can discolor the smile and damage confidence. Regular Dental Cleanings Fultondale AL help prevent stains by removing plaque and tartar before it can harden. They also remove surface stains and polish the teeth, revealing the whiter, brighter smile you’ve been looking for.
Tobacco stains, from cigarettes and chewing tobacco, are notorious for staining the teeth. Quitting tobacco is good for your health and the brightness of your smile. Limiting consumption of staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, dark colored vegetables, and consuming them through a straw minimizes their impact.
Intrinsic stains on the inside of the teeth are more difficult to remove and may require a cosmetic treatment such as veneers or dental bonding. Regular cleanings, brushing and flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can reduce their effect. In addition, detecting problems early through routine cleanings can save money in the long run.
Prevents Bad Breath
Many people with bad breath (halitosis) can improve it by brushing twice daily and flossing, avoiding certain foods that can cause odors, using an antibacterial mouthwash, and brushing the tongue. But they should also schedule regular cleanings at their dentist Kirkland IL. That's because dental cleanings remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar that at-home hygiene products can't.
When gum disease leaves deep pockets that fill with odor-causing bacteria, only professional cleanings can eliminate them. In addition, a dental cleaning helps prevent persistent bad breath by removing food particles from hard-to-reach places.
In some cases, however, bad breath persists even with proper oral hygiene habits and regular cleanings. This may indicate a medical problem like a yeast infection, acid reflux, or an undiagnosed health condition. Dentists can identify these issues early and recommend treatment to help prevent bad breath.