Oral Hygiene and Why Dental Cleanings are Important

Dental cleanings are one of the most important things you can do to improve and maintain your dental health. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t understand why oral hygiene is so important. There is a common misperception that dental cleanings are nothing more than an extra fluoride treatment, and it’s not uncommon at all for people to say, “I brush my teeth every day. I don’t need to see a dentist.” The truth is that dental cleanings are probably the best way to keep up with your oral health.

At Grothouse Dentistry in Indianapolis, Indiana, we provide professional dental cleanings and advice on oral hygiene to ensure that your oral health is maintained. If this is your first time having a cleaning, or if it has been a while since your last appointment, here are a few reasons why you should schedule a cleaning today.

Plaque Removal

While brushing will help to remove a lot of the food particles and germs that can grow on your teeth, there are still small amounts of food, particularly sugars, that are left when you’re done. No matter how well you brush, removing microscopic bits of sugar is impossible. 

Over time these trace amounts of sugar will bond with the enamel on your teeth and form a damaging substance known as plaque. Plaque is a breeding ground for germs and is the leading cause of tooth loss.

A dental cleaning is designed to remove this plaque. This requires a trained hygienist; at-home brushing, flossing, and even mouthwash will not remove everything. Dental hygienists use special tools and procedures to remove plaque, especially along the gum line, where it can most damage teeth.

Oral Check-Up

A number of health issues, from tooth decay to cancer, can be caught early as long as a dentist is regularly looking for the warning signs. A teeth cleaning appointment is about more than just removing plaque. It also allows the dentist to look for indications if there is a problem. 

When problems such as tooth decay are caught early, there is a good chance that it will be possible to avoid costly and painful procedures such as root canals or tooth extractions. Even if you do not have any issues with your teeth, the dentist will be able to establish a baseline to review at future visits.

Future Protection

In addition to cleaning, regular dental cleaning appointments can help to ensure that there will not be any future problems. Fluoride treatments, sealants, and other preventative measures can be discussed with your dentist at these appointments. Preventive treatments are often low-cost; some are even free with the proper insurance.

If you’re looking for a provider of oral hygiene in Indianapolis, Indiana, give our office a call at (317) 823-1780. Dr. Erik Grothouse has years of experience treating people of all ages, and he would love to meet with you to discuss your oral health.

Share this Article