If you want to stay healthy, experts encourage visiting your dentist twice yearly for cleanings. You may wonder whether these appointments are necessary if you practice good at-home oral hygiene routines. However, these appointments clean much more than your toothbrush and floss can.  Below are several ways a professional cleaning and exam can help.

What Are the Advantages of Regular Dental Cleanings and Exams?

1. Early Diagnosis

When a dental hygienist cleans your mouth, they’re not only looking for plaque buildup. They’re also watching for indications of cavities, trauma, and diseases.  They will inform the dentist of their findings, so that a more thorough investigation of your oral health can be completed.

Your dentist and their team may catch an asymptomatic issue like a cavity or gum disease during this appointment.  Many dental problems have no pain or discomfort when they are just beginning.  Early diagnosis can save you time and money because these issues become more involved to fix the longer they are left untreated. These bi-annual appointments are an important part of making sure your mouth is in top shape.

2. Reduce Cavities

While you may brush and floss at home, your mouth can still have plaque and tartar buildup. The hygienist will use special tools to remove this material from hard-to-reach places that many people neglect, like on the molars and in between the teeth. This appointment can prevent cavities from forming because it offers a deep clean that you can’t do yourself.  If there are early signs that a cavity is trying to form, the dentist can identify those areas and discuss options to reverse the process and avoid a filling.

3. Improve Smile

A regular toothbrush and floss won’t remove stains caused by coffee, wine, and tea.  The hygienist can use a specialized instrument to remove the superficial stains that form on your teeth without harming the tooth enamel. You may notice a whiter smile after these appointments.

4. Prevent Gum Disease

People often focus on brushing their teeth, but neglect caring for the area where the gums meet the teeth. This region can host a buildup of plaque and food that attracts the harmful bacteria that causes gum disease. During a cleaning, the hygienist and dentist will pay close attention to the area below the gumline to watch for signs of early periodontal disease.  The destruction of the bone that occurs with periodontal disease is irreversible, so finding and treating it early is an important step to maintaining your oral health.

If you’re interested in a cleaning with a dentist, contact Keen Dental Care in Columbia, MO. The small general dentist office offers personalized service for people of all ages. Visit the website or call (573) 875-5336 for information on their oral hygiene checkups and cosmetic dentistry like veneers and fillings.