Even if you brush and floss regularly as part of a good oral hygiene routine, your toothbrush and floss can only go so far. Regular professional teeth cleanings are necessary to clear away the plaque and bacteria that your home care leaves behind.
If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to the dentist, scheduling a checkup and professional dental cleaning is the perfect way to get your oral health under control. At Haider Family Dentistry in Salem, Oregon, Jeremy Haider, DMD, and our expert dental team offer a range of preventive and restorative dentistry services, including cleanings.
Why professional dental cleanings are necessary
For most people, a professional teeth cleaning and checkup is recommended every six months. Like every aspect of your health, prevention is the best line of defense against everything from common cavities to advanced gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults.
So if you brush and floss every day, why are professional dental cleanings necessary? Over time, bacteria hardens into plaque and tartar between your teeth and under your gums, increasing your risk of cavities and gingivitis — the first stage of gum disease. A professional cleaning is the only way to remove plaque and tartar buildup once it forms.
Before each cleaning, Dr. Haider performs a thorough dental exam. He checks not just for cavities and signs of gum disease, but for oral cancer and other oral health issues that can also affect your general health.
Dr. Haider also makes specific recommendations for your oral hygiene and care routine as well as any treatments you may need to correct existing dental damage, including dental implants if you’ve already experienced tooth loss.
It’s never too late to schedule a dental exam and cleaning
If you haven’t been keeping up with biannual checkups and dental cleanings, it’s never too late to pick up where you left off and invest in your oral health. You may not experience symptoms of tooth decay or gum disease in the early stages, so it’s important not to wait until you develop problems like pain, signs of infection, or bleeding gums.
The good news is that when caught and treated early, our dental care team can treat gum disease before it leads to permanent damage like bone and tissue loss — and eventual tooth loss.
If it’s been more than six months since your last professional dental cleaning, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haider, or request an appointment online.