There are certain pieces of advice that we have all heard for so long that we might know why they are actually important. You know that you are supposed to get a dental cleaning at least twice a year, but do you know why? Have you asked your dentist in Greenville, TX, what exactly makes professional dental cleanings so important? The most important reason to keep up with routine dental cleanings is to keep bacterial buildup at bay. Leaving bacteria in your mouth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Preventing these conditions can help your smile to stay intact, healthy, and looking good. 

Tartar Cannot Be Removed At Home

Have you ever run your tongue along your teeth and notice the difference between clean teeth and not-so-clean teeth? Not-so-clean-feeling teeth likely have a buildup of bacterial dental plaque on them, which is a biofilm that sticks to the surface of teeth. When left on the surface, it can calcify (harden) into tartar. While you can remove plaque from your teeth, you cannot remove tartar. Plaque and tartar lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so it is important to keep them from staying in your mouth for too long. During a dental cleaning, any tartar buildup can be removed. Your dentist or hygienist can also point out any spots with excessive tartar buildup, which may indicate some areas you routinely miss during brushing and/or flossing.

Prevention Is Essential

Tooth decay and gum disease are both progressive conditions, which means they continue to worsen until they are treated. Preventing either of these from occurring in the first place can be a good first step in keeping your smile healthy. Allowing either to progress to the point of severity can lead to tooth loss, infections, advanced gum disease, and other health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Routine cleanings can keep your smile healthy

When was your last dental cleaning? To schedule a cleaning and exam with Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX call us at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.