People often wonder why they should go to the dentist office for a teeth cleaning twice per year. So should you go to the dentist twice every year? What are the benefits of having your teeth professionally cleaned? What should you know about having your teeth cleaned? These questions and more will all be answered in today’s blog.
What Happens At A Regular Teeth Cleaning?
For many people, they have a strong fear of going to the dentist’s office. This is why over one-third of people in the United States do not go to dental appointments. We realize that your one hour at the dentist office might not be a blast, but it is time well spent.
Whenever you go in for a regular teeth cleaning, you will first be seen by a dental hygienist. They will start off by examining your teeth and oral health. From there, they will begin to clean your teeth with an electric toothbrush, floss, and other dental equipment. This will eliminate built up food, plaque, and tartar from your teeth and gums. After that, you will have a dentist come in and examine your teeth. They will be on the lookout for common problems, specifically examining your gums, teeth, and bones. From there, you will receive advice about how to best care for your mouth, as well as if you need to schedule any future appointments.
That doesn’t sound too bad right!
Why Is It Important To Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
One of the most common questions that we are asked here at Imagine Dental is “why are biannual dental appointments recommended?” There are a whole sleuth of reasons to go to your dentist appointment, here are just a few.
Your dentist will check for cavities. Over 90 percent of American adults have had cavities, making it an extremely common issue. If you can go to the dentist every six months, your dentist can detect cavities early. Removing cavities before they get serious can save you from more invasive procedures such as root canals or extractions.
At regular dental checkups, your dentist will check for early signs of gum disease. From there, your dentist will be able to recommend the best course of action to effectively heal your gums.
At regular checkups, dentists will give you advice regarding some of the best ways to maintain excellent oral health. They will recommend dental products that are healthiest for your needs.
As you can see, one of the main reasons that you should come to regular dental visits is prevention. Checking for common problems and nipping them at the bud prevents serious problems, while keeping your mouth clean and healthy.
How Can You Care For Your Teeth Outside The Dentist Office?
Scheduling regular teeth cleaning appointments with your dentist is an excellent way to keep your mouth clean, but you should also be focused on maintaining excellent oral health at home. Here are a few things that you should know about dental care at home.
1. Make sure that you select the right toothbrush. Not all toothbrushes are created equal, it is important to realize which brands are best for your mouth. We recommend purchasing an electric toothbrush to remove plaque buildup. Some of the best brands include Oral-B, Sensodyne, and Phillips Sonicare.
2. A sometimes overlooked aspect of keeping your mouth clean is toothpaste. Some toothpaste brands are better than others. You should look for toothpaste with naturally occurring fluoride. Some of the best brands include Crest, Colgate, and Sensodyne.
3. In order to attain great health in your mouth, make sure that you reduce your sugar intake. Sugar often latches onto your teeth, causing tooth decay. If you are able to reduce sugar intake, your teeth will be healthier. Some foods that you should try to avoid include: hard candy, desserts, sugary drinks, high sugar cereal, and other foods with high sugar content.
4. Finally, we advise that you floss on an everyday basis. Although toothbrushes are excellent, they sometimes struggle to get in the hard to reach areas. That is where floss comes in handy. You can use floss to remove plaque or food that has built up in hard to reach areas. Looking for a convenient flossing option? Dental picks are easy to use, while being extremely effective at removing plaque.
Hopefully, you now recognize the importance of going to the dentist twice per year. If you are looking to schedule a regular cleaning at your local dentist office, then come see us at Imagine Dental in Arizona.
If you want to learn some more information about what you should know before scheduling an appointment with the dentist, here are two helpful links.
