Posted by MyRDH on Thursday, May 8th, 2025 - 98 views
There is no doubt that professional teeth cleanings help prevent oral health problems and support overall wellness. They remove plaque and bacteria that build up in areas that your toothbrush and floss simply cannot reach. Cleanings reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and infections, all of which if not treated can lead to more serious issues in the future.
If you skip cleanings, you’re susceptible to the risk of gum inflammation, tooth loss, and other health conditions that are connected to oral bacteria. These include heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke.
Health Gains from Consistent Teeth Cleanings
There are quite a few benefits of regular teeth cleanings that positively affect your long-term health:
- Regular cleanings reduce plaque and tartar, and help prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
- Good oral hygiene lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke linked to inflammation.
- Dental visits help catch cavities, worn fillings, and gum issues before they worsen.
- Professional cleanings remove bacteria that daily brushing can’t reach.
- A healthy mouth supports your entire immune system and overall well-being.
- Clean teeth improve your appearance and boost self-confidence.
- Cleanings help eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Preventive care costs less than treating advanced dental problems.
- Stain removal during cleanings keeps your smile brighter.
- You receive tailored advice by your hygienist to improve at-home care.
Why at-home care isn’t enough on its own
Even the best brushing and flossing will not adequately remove hardened tartar or fully clean below the gum line. Dental cleanings go much deeper. They remove the buildup that causes gum disease and tooth decay but if left untouched, that buildup hardens and damages the tooth, gum tissue and bone.
This doesn’t develop overnight, but the buildup does creep up on you, so if you’re not regular with teeth cleaning, you’re basically putting yourself at risk of oral and other physical issues in the future.
What does a cleaning include?
A thorough teeth cleaning session includes an exam. This is where your hygienist can identify issues like worn enamel, gum recession, or early signs of oral cancer – all things you may not notice on your own.
If these concerns are addressed early, it helps avoid complex treatments later.
How Cleanings Impact Total Health
Oral health doesn’t stop at your mouth. There are such conditions like periodontitis which can be linked to heart problems, diabetes, and even respiratory issues. On the contrary, regular cleanings reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth which can spread through your bloodstream and contribute to these health issue. There is a list of lifelong benefits to regular teeth cleanings.
Plus the aesthetic benefits matter too. People feel more confident and sociable with clean, white teeth, while stained or neglected teeth can hold a person back in all kinds of social settings. The bottom line is, that a bright and healthy looking smile reflects how well you take care of yourself, and people can tell if you do or not.
Teeth Cleaning is Like Long-Term Care That Saves You Money
Teeth cleanings are one of the simplest and most effective forms of preventive health care. When you stay consistent with cleanings, you reduce your need for emergency procedures, deep cleanings, root canals, or gum surgery. You also keep your natural teeth longer, which saves money and preserves quality of life.
Also, your hygienist also acts as your guide in correcting improper brushing habits, recommending better tools, and flagging anything unusual with your oral health. Visits with your oral hygienist does more than clean your teeth, they educate and empower to take good care of them.
You Still Need Dental Checkups
Even if you regularly come in for teeth whitening or a cleaning, regular dental checkups are still essential. These visits allow the dentist to examine your teeth, gums, and jaw for issues that cleanings alone won’t reveal—such as early cavities, gum disease, or bite changes. Dentists are trained to diagnose and treat a broader range of conditions, and these exams help catch problems before they become more serious.
There are clear distinctions in scope between what dentists can diagnose and what hygienists are permitted to. Hygienists focus on preventive care and maintenance, while dentists are licensed to diagnose and treat a wider range of oral health issues.
Here’s a brief list of what dentists diagnose or evaluate that hygienists typically do not:
- Cavities beneath the surface or between teeth.
- Cracked or fractured teeth.
- Bite and jaw alignment issues (malocclusion or TMJ disorders).
- Suspicious lesions.
- Bone loss in the jaw due to periodontal disease.
- Failing restorations like crowns or fillings.
- Developmental abnormalities or impacted teeth.
- Signs of systemic conditions with oral symptoms (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune disease).
The take home is, if you do schedule regular cleanings, that’s good and highly advised, but don’t neglect your regular dental checkups, or ignore the benefits of general dentist services.
Ready for Your Next Cleaning?
If it’s been six months or longer since your last cleaning, now is the time to book an appointment with your hygienist, and if you live in Brantford, MyRDH Dental Hygiene Spa is always accepting new patients and can’t wait to see you!
