As people become more aware of the impact that poor oral health can have on them, many folks are taking their oral health more seriously. More tools are available now for keeping your teeth clean, too. However, if you think that you can opt out of having a professional dental cleaning because you're taking good care of your teeth and gums at home, you're unfortunately mistaken. Here's why.
Every At-Home Solution Misses Something
You've probably seen commercials and packaging for various dental cleaning products, like electric toothbrushes, water flossers, and even mouthwash. These products proudly advertise that they're supreme at getting rid of plaque, biofilm, and germs that can cause the development of more plaque and biofilm. However, if you look closely, you'll notice one thing: not one of these products promises to eliminate 100% of these unwanted elements in your mouth.
The unfortunate fact of the matter is, no at-home product can completely eliminate all plaque or bacteria. Even if only .1% (assuming your product gets rid of 99.9%) of plaque or bacteria remains, that's all it takes for that plaque to harden into tartar and the bacteria to create new plaque.
Dentists have an advantage here not only because they can look into your mouth directly, but they also have ultrasonic tools at their disposal. These can destroy plaque in places you can't even see, restarting the process of tartar development entirely.
Tartar's Impact
Even a little bit of tartar can harm your teeth and gums. This hardened plaque can't be removed by any method at home, so once you have it, it's there until you visit a dentist.
Unfortunately, tartar can not only lead to cavities, but it can also jumpstart gum disease. Tartar can even make it difficult for you to notice that you have gum disease because if it forms over the edge of your gums, it can act as a bandage, preventing blood from getting out and your cleaning efforts from getting in. Gum disease is hard to notice in the early stages, so it's important to have your teeth examined and cleaned professionally to catch this problem early on.
The Good News
The good news here is that if you take really good care of your teeth at home, you're likely to only need to see the dentist once or twice a year. Your cleanings will be quick and painless, too, because your gums will be in better shape than those who don't take good care of their teeth. You're also less likely to find out that you have a cavity developing or another major oral health problem. Going to the dentist may not be the most exciting thing, but it can mean the difference between taking good care of yourself and developing oral problems and having a healthy smile for years to come.
Learn more about appointments by contacting clinics like Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
If you are tired of coming down with dental problems, the problem might not be your toothpaste. Instead, it could be your habits tied to your dental care. Aggressive brushers, people who have a tendency to forget, and even people who are flossing improperly could be left with serious dental issues, which is why it really pays to focus on mastering the small things. From moving forward with a better brushing routine to doing what you can to identify and resolve ongoing decay, making your dental health a priority is instrumental in preventing pain and added budgetary strains. Check out this blog to find out more.