Do I really need regular teeth cleanings?
It’s that time of year again, where you get the reminder from the dental office that your professional teeth cleaning is coming up. You may think to yourself ‘I’ve got a lot going on right now, do I really need my teeth cleaned at the dentist?’
The fact of the matter is that you DO need your teeth cleaned at the dentist! Pushing off your regular professional cleanings is not a healthy habit to have. We understand that life gets busy and appointment times may not always work out when they’re planned six months in advance, but you do, in fact, need your teeth cleaned professionally by a dental hygienist at least once every six months. For some patients, teeth cleanings every four months are best practice to optimize oral health.
Teeth cleanings are beneficial in various ways that you may not realize. For starters, professional cleanings help to establish healthy at-home habits for our smiles so that it is understood to brush and floss regularly. Aside from keeping up with at-home care, professional cleanings really do successfully clean the teeth including the difficult to clean areas our home routines cannot thoroughly clean. This means that the dental hygienist works hard to remove any plaque, tartar (hardened plaque), and staining that is on the teeth or in-between the teeth.
For any patients who may have permanent retainers or other orthodontic appliances that are not removable making them more difficult to properly clean, the dental hygienist will work to make sure that these areas receive a good professional cleaning, as well. This is done to prevent any bacteria that may be left on these appliances to further contribute to bacteria in the mouth. Remember, your children are likely out playing in the yard, getting dirty, eating bugs and not flossing as much as you’d like. This is reason enough to get teeth cleanings regularly.
Lastly, professional cleanings help to bring attention any dental problem areas in the mouth with the help of X-Rays. X-Rays are meant to be taken every six months and serve to provide accurate readings of what is going on in the mouth at that time. From these X-Rays, the dentist will be able to create a detailed treatment plan of what may need attention in the mouth so that you can get back on track to a happy and healthy smile as quickly as possible!
Contact Wells Family Dental Group
So, if life gets busy and you’re thinking about cancelling your professional cleaning altogether, please realize that a professional teeth cleaning is absolutely beneficial to you and your oral health. If need be, simply contact us to reschedule your cleaning appointment and we would be more than happy to do so!For individuals who may be looking to find their dental home or establish care with a Raleigh, NC dentist and dental hygienist, please contact us for your initial appointment so that we can set up your cleaning as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon!