There is no reason to be afraid of the dentist. Taking care of your oral health is a lot more beneficial than waiting for the worst to happen. You can end up with a cracked or broken tooth, cavities or damage to your gums or roots. Here are some great reasons to get over the fear and get your teeth cleaned.
Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by a thin film of bacteria that has the tendency to form on your teeth. We call this layer of bacteria “plaque.” It adheres to your teeth and continues to build up over time if you don’t care for it. Then the plaque hardens and becomes tartar, which is difficult to remove without a dentist. As bacteria builds up, gums become inflamed if no action is taken. See a dentist before the advanced stages of gum disease set in. Advanced gum disease can cause teeth to loosen and possibly fall out.
Brighter Smile
If you smoke tobacco products, drink coffee, tea or soda, then you are at risk for teeth staining. There can be a thin brown film that coats your tooth, taking away its natural brightness. Plenty of whitening tooth pastes promise results, but often aren’t as effective as a dental cleaning. Your hygienist doesn’t just clean away the tartar and plaque from your teeth, he also polishes them. The result is a brighter smile full of whiter teeth.
Bad Breath
Listerine largely invented the concept of halitosis, they’d attempted to sell their product as a floor cleaner at one point, but bad breath is a very real phenomenon. It’s caused by food and other particulates stuck in the teeth over time, and made worse by neglect. Brushing regularly will help ease some of your breath issues, but a dental hygienist will offer a deeper cleaning that will go beyond just brushing.
Maintain Health
Your oral health isn’t directly related to your health, but there is evidence that suggests having a healthy mouth can help your body’s health as well. Regular cleanings may reduce your risks of heart disease or stroke. Regular dental visits may also reveal disease that originates in the mouth, thus helping to catch symptoms before they develop into something more serious.
Final Thoughts
Teeth cleanings are usually covered by your dental benefits, so keeping your teeth healthy is actually part of your insurance.
Written by Dr. Sid Solomon. He is a passionate dental hygienist based out of Southern California. Sid Solomon DDS has been in practice for more than twenty years, helping to ease patient pain and discomfort caused by oral health risks. Read a Dr. Sid Solomon review online to see the difference for yourself.