Why are teeth cleanings necessary every six months? A Total Guide – 2022
Your dentist needs to see you for a check-up and teeth cleaning every six months, but the question is, why? Why does your dentist have to see you for an exam? Isn’t it enough to brush, floss, and go to the dentist once a year?
Learn everything you need to know about why you need to get a teeth cleaning and dental exam every six months. Find out why it is more important to keep up-to-date with your dental check-ups after the age of 35 and how a lifetime of good dental hygiene pays off in the long run. And see how your dentist is a vital resource for improving your oral health, cosmetic appearance, and overall quality of life.
Why should your dental exams and teeth cleanings be every six months?
Over weeks and months, food inevitably finds its way into the nooks and crannies between your teeth and gums, even if you brush twice and floss once a day. Your dentist removes the gunk and grime during professional teeth cleaning that your daily brushing routine leaves behind. Your dentist gives your teeth a comprehensive cleaning every six months that leaves your mouth feeling fresh and teeth looking bright.
Maybe you haven’t been keeping up on your biannual dental appointments, and if that is true, you are not alone. Regular teeth cleanings keep your smile bright and healthy, but it also helps you avoid widespread health problems and costly restorative dental procedures later in life. The good news is that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Reduces the Risk and Halts the Progression of Gum Disease
Gum disease affects nearly 40% of adults over the age of 35, and once periodontitis causes damage, it cannot be undone. After the age of 35, your body chemistry changes and increases the risk of developing gum disease. It can, however, be stopped in its tracks with the help of your dentist, preventing further damage to your oral health.
Often, the only way you learn that gum disease is causing damage is when you go to the dentist for your six-month check-up. Periodontitis can do quite a bit of damage in six months, so many dentists and periodontists recommend adults over the age of 35 go to the dentist as often as every three to four months. By diagnosing gum disease as early as possible, you can receive the most effective treatment to save your healthy teeth and restore your gums.
Removes Excess Plaque and Tarter Buildup
Plaque is a sticky film that develops over your teeth and gums and harbors harmful bacteria. When plaque builds up, it becomes a hard tarter that discolors your teeth and can’t be removed with standard brushing and flossing. The only way to remove the plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth and under the gumline is to get a professional tooth cleaning at your dentist’s office.
Plaque also makes its way into the bloodstream, where it can cause cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Plaque build-up is also linked to a 14% higher risk of developing diabetes and dementia. Your dental hygiene and daily brushing routine are the best line of defense in preventing severe disease and illness down the road.
Prevents Tooth Decay and Tooth Loss
If you go more than six months between cleaning, plaque, and tartar build-up, causing rot, cavities, and tooth loss. Losing a tooth negatively impacts your appearance, self-confidence, and long-term health. Tooth loss eventually will cause jawbone resorption and alter your facial bone structure, giving the impression of premature aging.
Tooth decay is a gradual process that results in tooth loss, which means you won’t feel the damage until it’s too late. Your six-month dental cleanings are crucial to remove the plaque and tartar and prevent gum disease that causes tooth decay and loss.
Six-Month Dental Exams are a Vital Resource
Apart from the dental maintenance that your six-month cleanings provide, it is also the perfect opportunity to keep your dentist informed of your health and ask questions. If you notice a pattern of cavities every time you come in for an exam, ask your dentist what might be the cause? If your cleaning reveals tarter, but you are diligent to brush twice and floss your teeth once a day, see what your dentist thinks.
Your dentist will give you all the information you need about proper brushing techniques, brushing orders, flossing techniques, and more. They can also provide additional dental cosmetic treatments to enhance your oral health and facial aesthetic, including professional teeth whitening, clear braces, etc. If you are overdue for your six-month appointment, call our office today at Charlotte Dentist Office Phone Number 704-378-6591 to schedule your dental exam and teeth cleaning.