LAKE FOREST AND LAKE BLUFF IL
You may have heard that professional dental cleanings are necessary every six months, even for those who take outstanding care of their teeth. No matter how diligent you are at brushing and flossing your teeth, your mouth still harbors harmful bacteria that secret acids, turning into tartar buildup that only professional tools can reach. Therefore, routine dental cleanings are vital for maintaining good oral and overall health. Our Lake Forest family dentists share on the blog today what your dental hygienist removes during a dental cleaning so that you can have a healthy smile for life.
Surface Stains
Brushing your teeth and flossing each day can remove a large portion of surface stains, bacteria, and food debris from consuming foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, wine, and dyed foods. However, the plaque that remains and sticks to your teeth may eventually cause staining. Your hygienist uses a mildly abrasive cleaning paste that removes up to 35% more stains than brushing at home. In addition, removing the surface stains during a dental cleaning can result in a brighter smile when you leave our Lake Bluff dental office.
Hard Plaque
The plaque accumulation on your teeth can harden into tartar or calculus. Unfortunately, no matter how often or hard you brush, tartar buildup is impossible to remove without professional dental cleanings. According to the American Dental Association, getting your teeth cleaned once every six months can dramatically reduce hard plaque and tartar buildup.
Bad Breath
Halitosis or bad breath is from harmful oral bacteria and stuck on tartar. Regular dental cleanings remove harmful bacteria and reduce bad breath from 75% to 25%. However, patients who continue to experience bad breath regardless of regular dental cleanings and at-home oral health practices should contact our Lincolnshire family dentists for an appointment to identify potential underlying bad breath causes.
What happens if I skip dental cleanings?
Skipping or avoiding professional dental cleanings can have profound effects that reach beyond aesthetics and oral health. Even toddlers should visit our Lake Forest dental office as soon as their first tooth emerges to promote healthy habits early and good oral health. Oral bacteria buildup may enter your bloodstream and cause widespread systemic inflammation. Unfortunately, your stroke, diabetes, and heart disease risks increase if you avoid dental cleanings and have poor oral health. Therefore, add dental cleanings to your calendar to keep your oral health in check and reduce your risk for adverse health effects.
Can I get a dental cleaning without insurance?
Yes! Dental insurance could make your dental cleaning more affordable, but we offer dental cleanings twice yearly for everyone, regardless of insurance status. Our Lake Bluff family dentists encourage you to contact our office to determine an estimate for the procedure and X-rays so that you can prepare, especially if you have a tight budget. You can set a small amount aside to prepare for your upcoming dental appointment by knowing an approximate cost. Even though a dental cleaning may seem expensive, neglecting your oral health can cost you more in the future.
Family Dentists in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire
Skipping your dental cleanings may not seem like a big deal. However, harmful bacteria can attack more than your tooth enamel and create severe health conditions. Therefore, our family dentists in Lincolnshire recommend a daily regimen of daily brushing and flossing combined with regular six-month checkups and cleaning visits for optimum oral health. To schedule your cleaning, feel free to call Lake Forest Smiles at (847) 234-4800 or contact us online today.