Benefits Of Dental Cleaning And Early Detection Of Oral Health Issues

Many of us have wellness on their minds, in fact, Americans are spending more than ever on gym memberships, healthy foods, and personal care, to the tune of $2 trillion, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

But what if a routine dental check-up is one of the most important things you can do to help improve your overall health? Nothing against gimmicks like high-protein Oreo cookies (yes, it’s a thing), but we think staying healthy should be simple.

There are few things simpler than regular dental cleanings for the detection and prevention of health issues.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of dental cleaning and how it can detect early health issues.

Why Dental Cleanings Matter More Than You Think

Half of Americans continue to brush their teeth twice a day. But even that isn’t enough to prevent serious dental and other health issues. Your toothbrush can’t clean below your gumline adequately and over time, the resulting plaque builds up and hardens into tartar. It’s this hard tartar, much of it unseen below the gumline, that causes tooth loss from gum disease, also known as periodontitis.

Preventing tooth loss is important. But it’s just one reason regular dental cleanings are important. When you visit your dentist regularly, he checks your mouth and surrounding tissues for serious health issues, such as oral cancer.

What Happens During a Professional Dental Cleaning?

Feeling anxiety while visiting the dentist is common, about 36% of Americans feel some fear during dental visits. A patient-centered dental team will take a gentle approach by listening to your concerns and answering your questions. Knowing what will happen can help ease anxiety.

Your professional dental cleaning will begin with X-rays that provide valuable information about your teeth and bone structure. Then, a dental hygienist will carefully and gently remove plaque and unhealthy tartar from your teeth and gumline.

A polishing tool will be used to gently remove surface stains. Most patients agree that this multi-step professional cleaning process gives them a brighter smile. After your dental cleaning, the dentist will examine your X-rays and your mouth and discuss your overall oral health.

What Are the Benefits of Regularly Scheduled Dental Cleanings?

Through removing plaque and tartar and checking your oral health with X-rays and an exam, regular dental cleanings keep you healthy in several ways.

Prevent cavities and tooth decay. A build-up of plaque causes periodontitis, a leading cause of tooth and bone loss. Regular dental cleanings can treat periodontitis and catch cavities early for a lifetime of healthy teeth.

Improve your smile (and your breath!). Regular dental cleanings remove tartar build-up and stains on teeth. And treating periodontitis improves bad breath. That’s why regular dental cleanings will improve the look and feel of your smile.

Prevent costly dental issues. Many costly dental treatments can be prevented with regular dental cleanings. Root canals, cavity fillings, and even dental implants can be avoided with regular dental check-ups.

How Regular Dental Cleanings Detect Oral Health Issues Early

Treatments associated with oral health issues can often be prevented with early detection. Catching these issues early means less pain and discomfort and fewer trips to the dentist.

Detect cavities in the early stages. Small cavities are easier and less costly to treat than larger cavities. Advanced cavities often require crowns, root canals, or even extractions. Small cavities, on the other hand, can often be treated with a tooth-colored filling.

Detect gum disease early. Advanced periodontitis causes irreversible damage to your jawbone and gum line. Gums can pull away from the teeth, form deep pockets, and become infected. Advanced gum disease is also an especially common cause of persistent bad breath.

Screen for oral cancer. About 58,000 Americans this year will be diagnosed with oral or oral-related cancer, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Smokers and people with HPV are more at risk of developing these cancers. Regular dental check-ups can help detect this deadly disease earlier.

Detect structural issues. Other dental issues, such as cracks, worn enamel, and bite problems, can cause discomfort and oral problems. For example, a dental exam can reveal teeth grinding, a common, treatable problem that can cause pain, headaches, or even tooth loss.

How Your Oral Health Influences Overall Health

Regular dental cleanings with your trusted Boynton Beach dentist can keep your mouth healthy, which in turn improves your overall health. In many ways, a healthy mouth leads to a healthy body. That’s because your oral health has a surprising impact on your overall health. Poor oral health is known to contribute to:

• Cardiovascular disease increases your risk for a stroke and heart attack.
• Diabetes complications are exacerbated by gum disease, making blood sugar more difficult to control.
• Respiratory infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, occur when oral bacteria enter the lungs.
• Increased dementia risk, according to studies that found a link between oral bacteria and inflammation that causes dementia.

How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?

In general, most people should get their teeth cleaned every six months. But a dentist may recommend a different cleaning schedule based on your unique health and risk factors, like smoking or diabetes.

Dental Cleanings: Small Appointments With Big Health Benefits

Regular dental cleanings are routine appointments that have a big impact on your oral and general health. When it comes to dental care, cleanings are relatively non-invasive and painless. And most patients see a noticeable (and welcomed) improvement in the appearance of their smile.

Dental check-ups can keep your mouth and teeth healthy. Preventing cavities and gum disease with regular cleanings helps prevent tooth loss, which is all too common as people age.

Keeping regular dental appointments can help you age well in other ways, too. They reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and common, but dangerous, respiratory infections. Most importantly, regular dental check-ups can help detect serious diseases, such as oral cancer.

Schedule Your Dental Cleaning Today

Regular dental cleanings should be a part of every healthy lifestyle. The team at Eriks Dental Group is skilled dentists and hygienists who take the time to make every visit comfortable.

If it’s time for you to get back into the habit of regular dental cleanings, give our office a call at 561-733-4004 or contact us online.