If you visit West Bowmanville Family Dental regularly, you will probably have heard us talk about the importance of having a professional tooth cleaning to reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. But, how frequently do you need to schedule a hygiene visit in Newcastle?
Generally, if you have a reasonably healthy mouth and good oral hygiene habits, you will benefit from having your teeth cleaned professionally biannually. The cost is often covered by dental insurance, so if you have a policy, it’s worth checking to ensure you get the full benefit. A professional dental cleaning is an important preventive treatment that helps you to maintain a healthy mouth more easily, avoiding more costly dental care in the future.
There are several reasons why we suggest scheduling a professional dental cleaning regularly.
Removing Tartar
When you clean your teeth twice a day, it removes dental plaque, a sticky biofilm containing harmful bacteria. These bacteria thrive whenever you eat anything sugary or starchy, producing toxins and acid as a byproduct. However, these bacteria quickly recolonize your mouth, which is why regular toothbrushing is so important.
Unfortunately, however carefully you clean your teeth, some dental plaque will inevitably remain on tooth surfaces, and within a couple of days, it calcifies into tartar or calculus. By this stage, you will not be able to remove calculus by brushing and flossing, but the bacteria within it continue to produce toxins that infect and inflame your gums, and the presence of calculus makes it easier for more dental plaque to stick to your teeth. All calculus is removed during your regular dental cleaning in Clarington, helping to protect your teeth and gums.
Detecting Early Signs of Problems
When a dentist or hygienist can examine your mouth regularly, it’s much easier to detect any changes to your dental health. We can spot signs of gum recession, tiny lesions that may indicate the start of a cavity and other dental or medical problems. As with any disease, the earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.
Dental Education
When you brush your teeth, it is easy to slip into the habit of missing out on certain sections, and flossing is a task that can be tricky when you don’t know the right techniques. When you visit our Courtice dental practice, we can offer customized advice on how to brush and floss more thoroughly and effectively. A great dental care routine only takes a few minutes each day, which even the busiest person can spare.
Brightening Your Smile
Professionally cleaning your teeth will leave you with a mouth that feels fresh and wonderfully clean and will help brighten your smile. When you know your mouth is healthy, it can be a terrific boost to self-confidence and self-esteem. Also, part of a professional dental cleaning is to polish your teeth gently. The process removes some surface stains, so afterwards, you will notice your teeth look that bit whiter, and they will gleam with good health.
While most people only need to see a hygienist twice a year, some may benefit from more regular professional dental cleanings. If you have any dental problems or medical issues that make it harder to look after your dental health, more frequent cleanings can be a more effective way to help you maintain a healthy smile. Sometimes, more frequent dental cleanings may be recommended during pregnancy because the hormonal changes increase the risk of developing a condition called pregnancy gingivitis, a form of gum disease that should clear up once the baby is born.