Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Bi-Annual Dental Cleanings

Life is busy, and it can be tempting to postpone a dental cleaning if your teeth feel okay. After all, you brush twice a day and maintain your flossing routine, surely, you can skip a routine appointment.

However, you don’t want to wait.

Skipping your dental cleaning can allow small, hidden issues to grow into painful and expensive problems. Your bi-annual cleanings can catch problems early, before they become painful, expensive, or both.

At Oasis Family Dental in the Jefferson Park section of Chicago, routine dental cleanings are an integral part of protecting your smile and your overall health.

Here’s why you don’t want to miss your bi-annual dental cleaning.

Why professional cleanings matter

Daily brushing and flossing are essential, but they’re only part of the whole picture. You can have the best at-home habits and still miss early symptoms. That’s where biannual professional dental cleanings play a vital role in your overall health.

Plaque is sneakier than you think

Even the best oral hygiene doesn’t remove all plaque from your teeth. Plaque hardens into tartar, and when that happens, it’s beyond the ability of the toothbrush to remove it. That’s why dental professionals use specialized tools that clean below the gumline where bacteria gather.

Your biannual dental cleaning removes tartar buildup, reducing your risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. They also help spot early signs of gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gum disease is silent

It’s easy to miss the early signs of gum disease. A mild inflammation, bleeding gums, and bad breath may be easy to ignore. Still, left untreated, gum disease may increase your risk of health issues such as heart disease and diabetic complications. A 2021 review in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine found associations between periodontal disease and cardiovascular risk.

Your gum health really does affect your whole-body health.

Biannual cleanings mean early detection

With every routine cleaning, your dentist assesses your mouth for signs of:

Early cavities
Gum recession
Gum disease
Oral cancer signs
Cracks or wear from grinding

The American Dental Association (ADA) found that regular dental visits can improve your chances of early diagnosis for potential dental problems. This means a simpler and often less costly treatment later.

Preventive care pays off

Routine dental cleanings help reduce the risk of complex dental issues later. By staying ahead of problems, you can often maintain your dental health.

If it’s been more than six months since your last professional cleaning, you can schedule your next cleaning online. At Oasis Family Dental, Paula Skowronski-Adamiak, DDS, offers professional dental cleanings to keep your smile bright and healthy.