Why Dental Cleanings are Essential
People with dental phobias tend to avoid their check-ups and cleanings, fearing the pain and feeling anxious about complex treatments. It is important to work through these fears and get the professional attention you need to maintain your oral health. Even if a strict at-home hygiene routine is performed consistently, it will never match the effectiveness of professional cleaning. Studies show that insufficient oral health care has been linked to several serious illnesses, including bone loss, cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, and many other problems.
Professional Cleanings Get to Hidden Areas
The back teeth, also known as the molars, accumulate plaque and debris in places that we can’t see or get to with self-care. A dentist’s keen eye and access to professional tools are necessary to keep this tricky area clean.
Flossing and brushing can only do so much, especially with our limited viewpoint when performing self-care. Dentists have mirrors, extended tooth pics, and a superior vantage point that makes their services invaluable.
Plaque is the film that builds up on your teeth and accumulates easily in hard-to-reach spaces, like the molars. This substance is the leading cause of tooth decay.
Regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque, but your toothbrush doesn’t catch it all. Built-up plaque, which can harden into calculus (tartar), is only removable at a dentist’s office.
Plaque leads to gum disease if left unchecked. Gum disease can start slowly with swollen gums that bleed and can begin to destroy the tissues which support your teeth. If left unattended, periodontal disease can lead to many other problems including tooth loss.
The Oral-Systemic Connection
Studies have shown there is a strong link between some systemic diseases and gum disease. Because getting your teeth cleaned twice a year helps prevent gum disease, it can also reduce your chances of potentially deadly heart attacks and strokes.
Dental cleanings are also an opportune time for an oral cancer screening. Detecting oral cancer at an early stage during a dental cleaning allows for early intervention and more successful treatment.
Clean Teeth for Fresh Breath
A dental cleaning can remove built-up stains and leave you with freshly polished teeth. It’s a great way to keep your mouth healthy and odor-free. Avoiding professional cleanings can lead to halitosis and other complications from untreated decay or disease.
For gentle, professional dental cleanings in Lansdale, choose Dr. David Kaffey at Leading Dental Solutions. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving the oral health of our patients. Call us today!