Brushing and flossing regularly are vital to your oral health. By taking care of your teeth and gums, you’ll have a lifetime of excellent habits. But these steps alone aren’t enough. You should also visit the dentist for regular teeth cleaning appointments. Below is more information about how these appointments improve your overall health.

Why You Should Have Your Teeth Cleaned Regularly

1. Avoid Gum Disease

Gingivitis can develop when inflammation affects your gums. This usually occurs because of plaque that builds up between your teeth. Brushing alone isn’t enough to remove this accumulation. Flossing can prevent it, but teeth cleaning is the only way to ensure that any plaque isn’t causing inflammation and swelling. Without treatment, gingivitis could lead to pain, bleeding, and tooth loss in more severe cases.

2. Minimize Cardiovascular Risks

While diet and exercise are crucial in your cardiovascular health, teeth cleaning may also help you avoid heart attacks and strokes. A study found that in a group of 100,000, those who had regular teeth cleaning and scaling had a 24% reduced risk of suffering a heart attack and a 13% reduced risk of a stroke. Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of both gum and heart disease. This could contribute to the hardening of the arteries and impact heart health in the long term.

3. Detect Serious Concerns

The only way to determine if you’re dealing with a severe oral health problem is to visit a professional. Your provider will take occasional X-rays during your teeth cleaning appointments to check on the condition of your teeth, bones, jaw, and roots. An X-ray can alert your dentist to concerns such as bone loss, tooth decay in small areas, abscesses, and tumors. If you have gum disease or other dental problems, you may require X-rays twice a year.

Regular teeth cleaning is essential to your long-term health. When you need to schedule an appointment, contact David E. Smith, DMD, PSC, in Nicholasville, KY. The dentist offers many services, including teeth whitening, tooth extraction, dentures, and emergency assistance. Visit the website for more information about how he can help or call (859) 887-4008 to schedule an appointment.