The Danger of Not Seeing Your Dentist Twice a Year for Teeth Cleanings and Examination
While you may think that a well-maintained dental hygiene regimen from home is enough to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth in premier shape, it is not true. Going in to see your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and examination will help ensure that pesky plaque buildup does not occur, any emerging dental issues are identified, and the health of your entire mouth stays in great shape. Patients in the Paxton, Massachusetts, area see Drs. Fadi Farah and Scott Siemen and the friendly team at Paxton Dental Care. Our dental experts and their team will ensure you walk away with clean teeth and a proper plan to help correct any emerging dental health issues.
While twice-yearly examinations are key to preventing dental issues from escalating into more harmful situations, we are going to look into why regular dental cleanings are also very important to dental health.
What Happens When Your Teeth Are Cleaned?
When you go in for teeth cleaning, what occurs goes above and beyond what you can do at home with a toothbrush. Your dental office’s dental hygienist typically performs cleanings, and they will start by using a tiny metal tool (called a scaler) to remove any plaque or tartar that has become latched to your teeth and gums. The purpose of this is to completely clean the surface area of all your teeth so that they are completely clean. From there, your dental hygienist will apply a simple polish to your teeth so that they have a smooth finish. Finally, your teeth will be gently flossed so that surfaces that the scaler cannot reach can be cleaned as well.
Risks of Not Having Your Teeth Cleaned
Even if you feel like you brush, floss, and rinse expertly, seeing your dentist twice a year for cleanings and examinations is still very important. This is a crucial component of long-term dental health. Plaque can still accumulate in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth and, if allowed to remain, will transition into tartar. Tarter, unlike plaque, will require professional removal. If tartar is allowed to remain, it will lead to tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and other dental health issues.
Even if you brush, floss, and rinse three times a day every day, it is crucial that you see your dentist twice yearly for a professional cleaning. If you are in Paxton, Massachusetts, please call Drs. Fadi Farah and Scott Siemen at Paxton Dental Care today at (508) 557-2400 to schedule an appointment.