Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings and Exams

We understand that when you have a busy life, it can be difficult to make time to attend dental appointments. You may even feel that you can overlook the visit entirely if you aren’t currently experiencing any adverse symptoms and don’t have any immediate concerns about your teeth and your oral health. However, all dentists recommend that patients attend regular exams and dental cleanings regardless of their age or their current feelings about their dental health. This is because dentists aren’t just there to deal with problems. Regular visits actually form an important part of your preventative care.

Here are some of the main reasons why it is important to make time for your regular dental cleanings and exams.
 

Dental cleanings provide an exceptional level of cleanliness

Most people have already formed a habit of brushing their teeth at least twice a day, which is invaluable at removing the plaque that continuously forms on them during the course of the day. Flossing is also integral to a robust oral hygiene routine. While at-home care is one of the best ways to maintain a clean and healthy mouth, a regular professional dental cleaning is still recommended by dentists. This is because any plaque that may get missed when you brush your teeth can harden into plaque, which is something that can only be removed using professional equipment. Your dentist can also see and access your teeth better than you can, ensuring that you achieve a clean that is far superior to anything that you can do perform at home. Studies have shown that patients who attend regular professional dental cleans are less likely to experience decay and gum disease.
 

Your dentist can monitor the health and condition of your teeth and mouth

Many dental problems develop very slowly and often, by the time that patients are aware that there is an issue, there may have already been damage caused to your teeth or oral health. In addition to this, many dental problems can develop below the gum line, meaning that they can be impossible to detect without professional help. Your dentist will monitor the health and condition of your teeth to spot any signs that you could be starting to experience a problem – catching them early and enabling you to start treatment before they have the opportunity to cause irreparable damage or unpleasant symptoms.
 

Your dentist can provide valuable advice to help you to preserve your teeth for as long as possible

It isn’t just dental cleanings and a great at-home oral hygiene routine that can preserve your smile. Your dentist can also give you valuable advice on other methods that you can use to keep your mouth and teeth healthy. This includes guidance on nutrition, habits such as nail-biting, grinding teeth, or smoking which can have adverse consequences for your teeth, and advice on cosmetic dentistry treatments which could help you to address any aspects of your smile that you may be concerned about.
 

Your exam will include oral cancer screening

An evaluation for mouth cancer will be one of the most important things that your dentist will do at your dental exams. As with all cancers, the sooner oral cancer is detected and treated, the greater the chance that you will make a full recovery. Your dentist will do an examination for signs of mouth cancer, as well as head and neck cancer. This means checking for any abnormal growths or red or white patches in your mouth. There is nothing to be concerned about when undergoing oral cancer screening, which will take just a few minutes of your time, but it could potentially save your life.
 

If you would like to find out more about the importance of regular dental cleanings and exams or to schedule your appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert dental team today.