You Heard It From Your Dentist: The Dirty Truth of Skipping Dental Cleanings

It’s pretty common for people to skip a dental cleaning or even a couple cleanings because they’re short on time or trying to save money. In fact, a recent Gallup poll found that a third of US adults hadn’t visited the dentist in the past year.

Dental cleaning, however, is a surprisingly affordable form of preventative care. And once regular visits to a qualified dentist office like Riverside Dental Care become part of your routine, the more likely it is that your appointments will yield whiter, cleaner teeth rather than any bad news.

A Teeth Cleaning Can Stop The Guessing Game

Before a dental hygienist cleans your teeth, they typically use a small mirror to do a quick inspection, looking for issues like gingivitis and oral cancer.

No one wants to hear they’ve got major issues with their dental or oral health that need fixing. Still, the sooner problems are detected and treated the less extensive—and expensive—the remedy will be. What’s more, our dentists will work with you to help you get the care you need.

By opening up to a dentist, you can replace your apprehension about the state of your dental health with certainty and, if needed, a game plan.

Getting Your Teeth Cleaned Will Help Your Smile Look Better

At home, we brush and floss to remove plaque from our teeth. This gunky film—formed when bacteria mixes with proteins and bits of food—can compromise your tooth enamel and lead to cavities.

When we fail to remove plaque from our teeth, it can harden into tartar. This rough, porous substance forms a yellow or brown crust at the base of our teeth or near the gum line. Along with being unsightly, tartar can spur receding gums and gum disease.

Because tartar bonds firmly to our teeth, it needs to be removed at the dentist office with special tools. A staggering 68 percent of adults have tartar, but you don’t have to count yourself among this number.

A good dental cleaning can remove plaque and stubborn tartar as well as any trapped debris. Additional services like a fluoride treatment and the application of a sealant are also available to help fight off future bacteria and plaque.

Regular Dental Cleanings Can Help You Have Better Breath

Bad breath. We’ve all encountered this unpleasant phenomenon in others, but often we are unable to detect our own case of halitosis. If your mouth is loaded with bacteria, the kind that fosters gum disease, you are likely walking around with bad breath.

By getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist and caring for them in between, you won’t only stave off gum disease, you will also enjoy fresher breath, the kind that makes people want to be closer to you rather than edge away.

Caring For Your teeth In Between Dental Visits

We recommend you visit your dentist at least twice a year to keep your teeth at their best. In between visits, you can optimize your dental health by:

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing, which is the only way to remove plaque from between your teeth, every day.
• Replacing your toothbrush at least once every 3 or 4 months.

If it’s time for your next dental cleaning, we invite you to contact us at Riverside Dental Care today to make your appointment. Our thorough and caring service is something to smile about.