If you follow your dentist’s advice, then you probably attend a checkup and cleaning appointment at least once every six months. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have questions about why they’re necessary. Essentially, the point of checkups and cleanings is to keep your smile healthy by controlling oral bacteria and keeping a close eye on your teeth, gums, and oral tissues. Otherwise, things like cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, problems with your bite’s function, and more will continue to grow worse until extensive treatment is needed to correct them.
Cleaning Up After Your Toothbrush
Every day, you clean plaque and food debris from your teeth with your toothbrush and floss. Hopefully, at least twice a day. But even with an excellent hygiene routine, plaque can remain and harden into tartar, which your toothbrush can’t remove. Tartar protects oral bacteria as they multiply and attack your teeth and gums. Therefore, routine dental cleanings are necessary so your hygienist can remove the calcified film and the oral bacteria it protects.
What You Can’t See CAN Hurt You
No matter how well-lit your mirror is and how often you look into it, there are some things you just can’t see on your own, like weak tooth enamel or the depths of your periodontal pockets. Regular dental checkups are your dentist’s opportunity to look closely for such signs that could indicate early stages of oral health problems. That way, you can receive treatment to restore your good oral health before any issues have a chance to threaten it further.