Are You Aware Why You Mustn’t Ignore Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Are You Aware Why You Mustn’t Ignore Dental Exams and Cleanings?

October 5, 2021

Do dental visits, even for preventive dentistry, scare you and keep you away from receiving dental exams and cleanings twice a year? You probably think dental exams are some treatment requiring you to spend considerable sums of money on therapies you believe are not necessary. However, if you try to understand why regular dental exams with professional teeth cleanings are essential, you will realize its benefits and even request dental exams and cleanings in Pittston, PA, every six months.

Reasons Why You Mustn’t Ignore Dental Exams and Cleanings

During your routine exam, the dentist from Polit and Costello dentistry will examine your teeth and gums, looking for signs of tooth decay and resulting cavities. Tooth decay can infect your dental pulp, the soft center of your tooth spreading to its root and beyond.

A warning sign of tooth decay is the accumulation of plaque and tartar, also a reason for gum disease. However, dental exams are essential because the dentist looks beyond tooth decay and cavities. In addition, your dentist can detect signs of oral cancer during the exams as a preventive measure because if the disease is detected early, chances of survival are high.

Gum disease is a problem affecting 70 percent of American adults, indicating deep spaces between your teeth and gums and causing tooth loss.

Dentists also detect other medical conditions by checking whether you have bad breath caused by various issues, including diabetes, yeast infections, and lung problems.

Why Are Dental Cleanings Essential?

Dental cleanings performed by dental hygienists help in teeth plaque removal building up continuously on your teeth despite maintaining an excellent oral hygiene regimen. Teeth plaque eventually hardens into tartar within 48 hours and needs professional assistance for removal because it is challenging to eliminate by brushing and flossing alone.

If you have hardened tartar on your teeth and below the gum line, the hygienist gives you a dental scaling for tartar removal. Allowing tartar to remain on your teeth is an invitation for gum disease to infect you, requiring quarterly dental visits for treatments instead of half-yearly visits for cleanings and exams.

After completing teeth cleaning, the hygienist polishes your teeth to remove stains from teeth and any leftover plaque and tartar from the earlier cleaning. The polishing leaves you with whiter-looking teeth giving you fresher breath and a brighter smile.

The dentist teeth cleaning also gives you access to fluoride treatments to help prevent cavities for several months by strengthening your tooth enamel.

Dental Exams and Cleanings Help Prevent Oral Health Problems Before They Begin

Excellent oral health doesn’t just give you a beautiful smile because it can also help keep your overall health in perfect condition. Getting dental exams and cleanings every six months is sufficient for most, but you may need more frequent exams depending on the state of your oral health.

Scheduling dental visits every six months or a year may not excite you. However, dental visits are incredibly essential. Six monthly or yearly dental exams and cleanings help prevent problems before they begin.

Dental exams are beneficial to prevent tooth decay and gum disease besides diagnosing any problems with your overall health. Even more helpful is the reality that dental exams save you money by helping avoid the need for expensive dental treatments.

A professional dental cleaning helps get rid of built-up stains on your teeth while assisting in keeping your tooth enamel robust. Most importantly, the cleanings give you polished teeth without stains to prevent needing teeth whitening treatments from the dentist near you.

A dental practice such as Polit and Costello dentistry focuses on preventive dentistry to help you safeguard your oral and overall health with comprehensive exams and cleanings. The facility can also offer preventive treatments such as fluoride applications and dental sealants.

How to Benefit Fully from Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Maintaining an excellent oral hygiene regime at home helps to take maximum benefits from dental exams and cleanings. The persistent bacteria in your mouth continuously attack your teeth and gums and can quickly develop despite professional assistance. Therefore you must:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily without exceptions.
  • Floss every day.
  • Use fluoridated mouthwash.
  • Have a healthy and balanced diet and limit snacking.
  • Shun smoking and utilizing tobacco in any form.
  • Schedule appointments for dental exams and cleanings in Pittston, PA, every six months.