The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings

Are Regular Dental Cleanings Really That Important?

You brush and floss and rinse every day at home, so is it really that important that you schedule regular teeth cleaning appointments? It is absolutely important! Your dentist does more than simply clean your teeth. Dental cleanings are an important preventative measure for your oral health. Check out these five things your dentist does for you during a cleaning.

Remove Tartar

Yes, cleaning is part of the regular dental cleaning. It’s right in the name. However, this isn’t your typical at-home cleaning. While your tooth brush and floss can get rid of food particles and plaque, they can’t remove hard tartar. Even if you brush really well at home, you may have some tartar hiding on your teeth along the gum line, between teeth or in crevices that are hard to reach with floss and toothbrush. Only a dental professional can properly use a technique called scaling to remove this tartar. If left untreated, tartar can cause gum inflammation or decay.

Check for Cavities

A lot of times, you know you have a cavity because you experience pain, especially when drinking cold or hot liquid/foods. However, that isn’t always the case. Tiny cavities may not cause any pain, and if they are hard to see, you may not know you have one. Over time, the cavity can worsen to cause you pain or even lead to infection. During a cleaning, your dentist looks for any cavities or weak spots that may lead to cavities in the near future, so you can get them treated before they get worse.

Look Below the Gum Line

You can see how good your teeth look above the gum line, but how do they look below the gum line? During dental cleanings, your dentist may routinely take X-rays. These images allow the dentist to look for potential problems at the root, such as tooth infections that may or may not be causing pain, cavities below the gum line or cracks in the tooth root.

Hunt for Signs of Gum Disease

Your dentist doesn’t just check your teeth during exams. Your gums are also inspected, particularly for gum disease. The dentist may measure the space between your teeth and gums. If the space is particularly deep, it may be a sign of gum disease. Other signs include bleeding, swelling and tenderness. If your dentist catches gum disease early, you may be able to reverse it quickly.

Spot Symptoms of Cancer

Cancer can develop in any part of your body, including your mouth, and your dentist will look for potential symptoms of mouth, tongue or throat cancer during cleanings. Signs of oral cancer include sores, lumps, lesions, etc. If you have regular dental cleanings, it’s more likely your dentist will catch signs of cancer early, which is important in fighting cancer.

Routine preventative care is the best thing you can do for your smile. If you’re looking for a place to get regular teeth cleanings in Santa Cruz, call Landmark Dental today. Regular teeth cleanings help stop problems before they become severe or even start, so don’t neglect your professional oral cleanings. If you would like more information about the importance of routine dental cleanings and exams; contact Landmark Dental Group in Santa Cruz today.