Taking care of your teeth at home (i.e. brushing and flossing) plays an important role in keeping your teeth clean and healthy, but many make the mistake of thinking that this is enough–and skip out on their professional cleanings! A professional cleaning is so important for your dental health, and can save you from bigger problems in the future!

Prevent Cavities and Gum Disease

Brushing at home can remove bacteria and debris from your teeth, but it’s not always enough to remove harmful plaque over a long period of time. When plaque sits on the teeth, it hardens into tartar that can’t be removed with a toothbrush. Only a professional cleaning can remove tartar once it has formed. If that tartar is left on the teeth for too long, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. So, if you want to save yourself from more expensive and extensive treatment, you’ll want to be there for your regular professional cleanings—in the interest of prevention!

Brighten Your Smile

A professional cleaning can remove surface stains from your teeth caused by drinking coffee, tea, wine, and other dark beverages. Using a gritty toothpaste, your dentist can polish your teeth to give you a brighter, more confident smile. For more severe staining, talk with your dentist about at-home or professional whitening.

Detect Other Dental and Health Conditions

There are a surprising amount of health conditions that are related to your teeth! During a professional cleaning, your Newnan Dentist can often detect signs of diabetes, oral cancer, thyroid problems, an iron deficiency, and more. Having a healthy mouth has also been linked to a lower risk of stroke and heart disease. If your dentist does detect a problem, they can refer you to the proper medical doctor to receive the treatment you need.

And don’t forget about the cavities!  Seeing your dentist at regular intervals and monitoring the teeth for cavities is a whole lot better than coming in to the dentist after a long period of time, only to find out you have a mouthful of cavities that could have been prevented with the proper care!

Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can help you keep your teeth free of harmful bacteria, but a professional cleaning can address what you can’t with just a toothbrush! Contact our office to schedule your appointment with Dr. Schultz to maintain your healthy smile.