Many people believe that daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are sufficient to keep teeth and gums healthy. Nevertheless, this is just a popular misconception. Even if you brush and floss after every meal and before bed, bacteria, plaque, and food particles can collect in the tiniest crevices, grooves, and pits in the teeth. While a consistent, at-home dental hygiene routine is critical, it’s limited and can only do so much to maintain excellent oral health.

In conjunction with a dependable dental hygiene habit, people of all ages are encouraged to have professional teeth cleanings at least twice a year. Are you still wondering why professional teeth cleaning is so crucial? Here are three reasons why:

1. Professional teeth cleaning helps combat cavities and gum disease.

The truth is that a tube of fluoridated toothpaste, a toothbrush, dental floss, and mouthwash can only do so much. While simple brushing and flossing can do a moderately decent job at removing bacteria and food particles, it’s a superficial clean compared to what a skilled dental hygienist can accomplish. Unlike a toothbrush or floss, specialized dental instruments can reach hard-to-reach areas and remove caked-on plaque and tartar. If a dentist or dental hygienist does not remove tartar, it can lead to dental decay and gum disease.

2. Professional teeth cleaning can make smiles sparkle.

Teeth whitening is the most sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatment, and the American teeth whitening market is expected to propel in the near future. Even though many kinds of toothpaste, gels, and other at-home products promise whiter teeth, some people are surprised to find out that professional dental cleaning can make teeth appear brighter. During the process, dental hygienists remove bits of plaque and tartar that cause teeth to appear more yellow or darker, which results in a temporary whitening effect and a squeaky clean feeling. For an even more dramatic transformation, add on chairside teeth whitening after a dental cleaning.

3. Professional teeth cleaning can help maintain overall wellness.

Did you know that keeping your pearly whites and gums in tip-top shape benefits more than your smile? The relationship between oral and systemic health is firmly established. In other words, a healthy mouth often leads to a healthy body (and vice versa). Although additional studies are continuously conducted, researchers have found links between gum disease and the following health conditions:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Oral, breast, esophageal, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers
• Reproductive health (stillbirth)

The mouth is the window to the digestive system and works with other bodily systems in the body to either improve or destroy the quality of life. When gum disease arises, an inflammatory response sets off and generates a ripple effect throughout the body. The good news is that frequent professional teeth cleanings can help people reduce the risk of gum disease (and help manage inflammatory illness throughout the body). 

Find Teeth Cleaning Services in Atlanta, GA

If you have not had your teeth cleaned professionally in the last six months, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your general dentist. At Smiles for Grant Park, our dental hygienists perform professional teeth cleanings to improve and maintain dental health and aesthetics. Schedule your next teeth cleaning in Atlanta, GA, by calling 404-328-711 or messaging us online today.