For many, the thought of a trip to the dentist generates feelings of anxiety. However, the benefits of keeping regular dental appointments are far-reaching. Most dentists recommend that patients come in for a visit every six months. During these semi-annual visits, the dentist will check the health of the patient’s teeth and gums, treat any conditions that may be present, administer preventative treatments such as fluoride rinses to protect against cavities, and the hygienist will thoroughly clean the patient’s teeth. While a dental cleaning may seem like its primary purpose is for added freshness and aesthetics, dental cleanings lay the foundation for overall oral health.
What Happens During a Cleaning
Professional teeth cleaning is a prophylactic procedure that is performed to prevent disease. The process is typically done entirely by a dental hygienist. Various instruments are used to scale, polish, and remove excess plaque from the teeth.
Oral Health Benefits
Having regular professional cleanings can be very helpful in preventing the spread of oral cancer. During a cleaning, the dentist or hygienist examines the patient for signs of oral cancer. If diagnosed and treated early, oral cancer usually does not cause death. Dental cleanings also help prevent gum disease. Gum disease is an oral infection that can cause severe inflammation and tooth loss if left untreated. If gum disease is detected, the condition can be treated and is usually reversible when diagnosed in earlier stages. When patients visit their dental office to have regular semi-annual dental cleanings, the dentist is able to monitor overall oral health by comparing the condition of the teeth and gums from visit to visit. This allows the dentist to also detect potential problems early and schedule followup visits for monitoring and treatment.
We talked with Kensington Dental Practice, who said that in addition to monitoring health and preventing serious health conditions, professional cleanings can also help prevent halitosis, or bad breath. They said, “Most causes of bad breath can be effectively addressed and remedied by dental treatment. Prevention of bad breath begins with professional dental cleanings.”
Beyond Oral Health
Researchers believe scaling, the deepest cleaning and scraping process a patient may receive in a dental office, may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. In a study that evaluated 100,000 adults in Taiwan, half of the study’s subjects had had their teeth scaled while the other half had not. Those who had undergone the deep cleaning process on at least one occasion appeared to have a 24 percent lower risk of having a heart attack and a 13 percent lower risk of having a stroke. One researcher suggested that the link may be caused by a reduction in inflammation-causing bacteria that is removed during dental scaling. The reduction in bacteria is believed to improve blood vessel function. Researchers admit the study did not consider other factors that may contribute to heart attack and stroke including weight, race, and whether or not the participants were smokers. Therefore, the study may simply indicate that people who already have healthy habits like brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist to have their teeth cleaned may be less likely to suffer heart attack or stroke due to their general pattern of healthy habits.
The reasons to put fears and anxiety aside and visit the dentist for semi-annual cleanings are numerous. Avoiding tooth loss, screening for and eliminating potentially health risks, and maintaining bright teeth and fresh breath are just a few benefits. Patients who have extreme anxiety should know that dental cleanings typically do not cause extreme pain in patients who have health teeth and gums. The dentist may also apply a topical numbing agent to reduce the risk of the patient experiencing pain. Seeking out a practice that specializes in gentle dentistry or simply speaking to the dentist or hygienist about the patient’s fears and concerns can make going to the dentist much easier for people who have anxiety.
