You may be one of those people who have lived their whole lives with decent teeth and thus feel no need to get a professional dental cleaning. The thing is, dentists recommend that most people get their teeth professionally cleaned once every six months.
Dental cleaning is a benefit you should take advantage of because most insurance companies have agreed to cover two tooth cleanings each year.
You have to understand that the six-month gap between cleanings wasn’t chosen at random. It’s the typical time span for plaque to regenerate on your teeth. Furthermore, if you have a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease, you might need to get your teeth cleaned more frequently—at least every three or four months.
These diseases already place you at a higher risk of gum disease, even if you practice good dental hygiene. Specific drugs taken for such diseases may require more frequent cleanings to ensure that they are not creating dental problems.
Below are more reasons why you should commit to regular teeth cleaning.
Regular Teeth Cleaning Prevents Cavities
Preventing cavities is the most obvious advantage of having your teeth cleaned regularly. The bacteria that create plaque begin to recolonize as soon as one cleaning is completed. That bacteria takes a few months to turn into plaque. Once it does, it eats away at your teeth’s enamel.
Too much sugar and carbohydrates are a risk factor for cavities because the bacteria that produce plaque thrive on sugar. Brushing and flossing won’t be able to remove all sugar from your teeth, leaving some areas of your teeth more sensitive to cavities than others.
Sugar, bacteria, and plaque that you can’t get rid of on your own are removed by professional cleanings.
It Reduces Bad Breath
Bacteria in your mouth cause bad breath. Thus, removing this bacteria from your teeth will significantly improve your mouth’s condition. Plaque on your teeth indicates that your mouth is full of bacteria, which could cause an inability to entirely eliminate foul breath on your own.
The bacteria will be removed and dispersed once the plaque is removed and will not be able to cause bad breath until it re-accumulates.
It Saves You from More Expensive Dental Services
Getting regular dental cleaning can help you avoid more costly dental problems. Depending on whether or not you require x-rays, most teeth cleanings are affordable.
Cleanings and checkups are less expensive than fillings, crowns, root canals, dental implants, and other advanced dental procedures, even with x-rays. Also, if you have dental insurance, you won’t have to pay anything extra because your cleanings are usually covered 100 percent by your premiums.
It Reduces the Risk of Diabetes
While persons with diabetes are more likely to get gum disease, gum disease may also raise your risk of developing diabetes. According to a study, those who brush their teeth three times each day instead of two reduce their risk of diabetes by 8 percent, compared to only 3 percent for those who brush twice a day. While this may not appear to be much, any reduction in risk is beneficial.
Conclusion
Getting your teeth cleaned regularly can enhance your confidence, whether it’s because of the brighter smile or because you’re doing something beneficial for your health.
Having bright, white teeth makes you feel more comfortable meeting new people, especially since your smile is generally the first aspect others notice about you. You’ll also feel pleased with yourself for taking care of your teeth and lowering your chance of getting other health problems.
Receive expert dental care in Alexandria from Galleria Dental of Alexandria. We’re committed to delivering the highest quality dental care using advanced dental equipment. Book a dental cleaning appointment with us today!