Taking care of your teeth at home requires diligence, and if you've been thorough, you might feel like you don't need to visit a dentist much, if at all. Unfortunately, you're mistaken. It's important to keep seeing a dentist for cleanings, no matter how well you care for your teeth. Here's why you can't expect to get the same level of cleanliness at home as you can at the dentist's office.
Under Gumline
One of the things that a dental cleaning can do that you can't is clean under the gumline.
It can happen to anyone, but it's especially likely if you have gum disease: plaque and tartar can form under your gums. This is especially a problem because the hidden parts of your teeth don't have enamel to protect them.
While flossing can help to slow down the process of developing plaque and tartar, it can't stop it entirely. There's simply too much bacteria in the mouth to kill 100% of it and stop the process. That's why plaque can get under your gums even if you floss.
Your dentist can quickly resolve this problem by using an ultrasonic scaler. Ultrasonic scalers use ultrasound waves to break up and destroy plaque and tartar, even when it's under the gumline.
Destroying Tartar
Tartar in general is a big problem for teeth and gums. It can cause cavities and gum disease, and the stuff simply can't be removed at home. It's too hard for home methods like water flossers and toothbrushes to get rid of. However, using the same ultrasonic scaler and magnification equipment to find every scrap, your dentist or hygienist can blast away what's there and prevent it from harming your teeth or gums.
Detecting Early
Finally, keep in mind that dental cleanings do more than just get rid of the stuff on your teeth and gums. They're also inspections that let a professional with a trained eye examine your mouth.
It's not uncommon for people to develop unexpected oral cancers and other major problems with their oral health. Detecting these kinds of things yourself can be difficult, but with regular appointments at the dentist's office, you can ensure that anything that might develop is caught early on so it can be treated.
Visiting a dentist for cleanings on a regular basis shouldn't be something that you skip, no matter how well you take care of your teeth and gums. Make it part of your regular routine and don't skip appointments so you don't end up with an excess of tartar causing problems or a health issue going unchecked.
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