Professionals say that you should get your teeth regularly checked and cleaned every six months. But what if you are diligent in your brushing and flossing habits? Isn’t that good enough to skip a few visits? The answer is no. There are many reasons why this line of thinking could be bad for your oral health, but most of all, you should schedule regular checkups and cleanings to improve your chances of avoiding the need for extensive treatment later.
3 Reasons Checkups and Cleanings Matter
1.) Your teeth may appear clean, and thus fairly healthy, but you may have signs of gum disease and tooth decay forming that you just aren’t trained to see. Your dentist can catch these signs easily and prevent them from spreading further. If left unattended, these can affect the quality of your smile and your mouth’s health. This can be extremely costly to repair.
2.) There are buildups of plaque that your toothbrush and floss just can’t reach or handle. This plaque can become calcified over time, creating tartar. Tartar can lead to cavities, infection, and bad breath. Your dental hygienist can more easily spot and remove plaque and tartar during the checkup.
3.) You are also given a thorough oral cancer screening during every checkup. With one of the highest mortality rates, oral cancer is important to catch early, when it can most easily be treated and defeated.
Given these reasons, it’d behoove you to schedule your next cleaning as soon as possible if it’s been a while since your last visit. At most, they’re an hour out of your day, and can save you a significant amount of time and money by avoiding complex dental issues. With the help of a trained professional, you can be sure that your smile looks healthy stays healthy for the rest of your life.
