Why Routine Dental Cleanings Do More Than Keep Your Smile Bright

It can be awfully tempting to skip that upcoming dental cleaning. But doing so puts more than your smile at risk — it can leave you prone to cavities, infections, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Here’s why these routine visits are so important.

An average dental cleaning takes an hour or less, yet many of us skip our twice-yearly visits, especially if we don’t notice anything “wrong” with our teeth or the way they feel. That’s a big mistake, because those regular cleaning visits do a lot more than keep your smile looking its best; they also help prevent more serious problems down the road, too.

At Morris Dental Associates in Abilene, Texas, Amy Morris, DDS, and our team specialize in proactive, preventive care aimed at helping you enjoy your healthiest smile. Here’s why those routine cleanings are so important — and why you shouldn’t skip visits in the future.

Beyond brushing: Deep cleaning for teeth and gums

Most of us know we should brush twice daily and floss at least once a day. But even if we’re vigilant about sticking to those recommendations, we’re almost sure to leave behind some sticky plaque deposits between our teeth, along the gumline, or in other hard-to-reach places.

When it lingers, plaque turns into yellowish tartar, a substance that’s so hard you can’t remove it with brushing and flossing alone.

During your professional cleaning, our team uses special instruments to carefully clean your teeth — especially those areas where brushing and flossing can’t reach. The result? A healthier smile that looks whiter and brighter, too.

Your top tool for gum disease prevention

Gum disease is extremely common, and without prompt treatment, it can eventually lead to severe gum recession, bone loss, deep infection, and even tooth loss. Developing in stages, gum disease begins with bacteria-filled plaque builds up along the gums, triggering irritation that prompts your gums to recede.

As the tissue moves farther down the tooth surface, bacteria follows along, causing more recession and exposing more tooth material to decay and infection.

But we’ve got good news. Professional dental cleanings help stop gum disease in its tracks, removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria before they have a chance to cause problems.

During your visit, we’ll also look for signs of more advanced disease, so we can provide you with treatment focused on reversing damage and keeping your gums healthy.

Early detection and early treatment

Many oral health issues begin with very subtle changes — so subtle, most people don’t notice them. The problem is that once you do notice them, it’s almost certain these “tiny issues” have become more advanced problems that require more aggressive (and costlier) intervention.

Regular dental cleanings give Dr. Morris a chance to evaluate your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues, looking for subtle problems so they can be treated right away. In addition to the visual examination of your teeth and gums, she uses digital X-rays to evaluate your teeth below the gumline, along with your jaw bone and other parts of your oral anatomy.

Regular screening for oral cancer

Every year in the United States, nearly 60,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer, and more than 12,000 people die from the disease. Like any other serious health problem, oral cancer is managed best when it's caught early — and that means regular screenings.

Your twice-yearly exam provides an opportunity to check for any unusual signs and symptoms that could indicate oral cancer. If Dr. Morris spots an abnormal area, she can take a tiny sample (biopsy) for further evaluation in a lab, or refer you to an oncologist.

This type of preventive care provides a strong defense against cancer, helping ensure you receive treatment as soon as possible when needed.

Fine-tuning your home-care routine

Your twice-a-year dental cleaning also gives Dr. Morris and her team a chance to review and evaluate your home oral care routine, so we can provide guidance focused on ensuring your efforts are spot-on.

During your appointment, we look for areas of plaque, tartar, and gum inflammation that could indicate your regular routine isn’t hitting the mark. Then, we offer simple tips to help improve your routine, so you can better maintain your oral health between regular cleaning visits.

Don’t skip your next dental cleaning!

Combining a good daily oral care routine with regular dental cleaning visits is one of the best ways to keep your smile beautiful and healthy. If you’re overdue for a routine cleaning, call or click online to request an appointment at Morris Dental Associates in Abilene, Texas, today.