5 Advantages of Professional Dental Cleanings

Getting professional dental cleanings isn’t exactly fun, and you can probably think of things you would rather be doing instead. But despite the number of must-do activities on your list, getting dental cleanings should definitely be on that list.

Dental cleanings aren’t just about getting your teeth clean (though there’s nothing quite like that just-cleaned feeling). We also do other exams to ensure that your mouth is as healthy as possible. Dr. Thomas D. Sokoly of Sokoly Dental explains more about why you should make an appointment to get your teeth cleaned.

How often do your teeth need professional cleaning?

The American Dental Association says that you should get it done at least once a year, but most dental insurance plans allow for two cleanings a year.

Many people can get by with only having one dental cleaning in a year, but two allow for catching potential problems (such as cavities) more quickly, which can often prevent more extensive restorative dental work.

The benefits of professional dental cleanings

Getting regular professional dental cleanings has more benefits than just cleaning your teeth. Here are five reasons why should have them:

Helps monitor problems

Quite simply, we need to be able to see into your mouth to know whether or not you have problems developing. One way we accomplish this is by taking X-rays at least once a year. We can tell if cavities (also called dental caries) are developing, which may be reversible if we catch them early enough and if you double down on good dental hygiene habits.

Reduces risk of health problems

Did you know that the health of your mouth is linked to your overall physical health? When you get regular dental cleanings, we can halt gum disease at the beginning, which can prevent a lot of future problems related to your oral health. Some of these problems include serious health issues, such as heart disease and stroke.

Reduces bad breath

Bad breath is embarrassing, that’s for sure, especially since few of us know when we have it. Getting regular dental cleanings cut down on the bacteria in your mouth that lead to bad breath, also called halitosis. (You can further eliminate bad-breath bacteria by not smoking and brushing your teeth after drinking coffee.)

Reduces cost

Dental care can be expensive, but as the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” By spending the money on cleanings and exams now, you’re less likely to have costly dental issues later, such as fillings, crowns, and gum disease.

Provides an opportunity to talk about other health issues

When you have regular checkups and cleanings at our practice, we get to know you individually. You’ll find that to be a benefit if you’re having symptoms that you can’t explain. You can mention them to us, and we can help identify the root cause if they’re dental-related and provide treatment. 

Keeping up with regular dental cleanings is an important responsibility and can save you a ton of expensive headaches later on. Contact Dr. Thomas D. Sokoly at Sokoly Dental or book an appointment online today.