Keep on smiling with dental cleanings!

How do you keep your smile dazzling? With regular dental cleanings! At Hite Family Dentistry, we encourage biannual dental cleanings for all of our patients because professional cleanings and dental evaluations are important to maintain good overall dental health. Our Edwardsville, Ill., office recommends our patients see us at least every six months for a proper cleaning.

Seeing your dentist is not just about cleaning your teeth; there is a whole list of things your dental professional is watching out for to keep your mouth, and the rest of you, healthy. Read on to learn why we recommend biannual dental cleanings.

Preventing Tooth Decay and Cavities

Proper brushing and flossing is an important part of a good dental hygiene routine. However, if you are not brushing or flossing properly, a buildup of plaque and tartar can form on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky, film-like substance that appears on the teeth due to a buildup of bacteria. Once plaque has begun to harden on teeth, it can slowly begin to eat away at the enamel of the tooth, which can cause cavities and tooth decay if left untreated. 

Unfortunately, once plaque has made its appearance, a professional dental cleaning by the team at Hite Family Dentistry is the only way to properly remove it. So if you are looking for a reason as to why you should keep up with biannual dental cleanings, mark this as one.

Gum Disease Prevention

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is when the gums become inflamed and infected from improper care due to the lack of a healthy, consistent dental hygiene routine. If left untreated, gum disease can progress into periodontitis, which can damage the jawbone, leading to tooth loss in the most serious cases.

If your dentist has diagnosed you with gum disease, the only way it can be treated is with an intense dental cleaning that involves cleaning the infected pockets of gum tissue to help prevent damage to the bone. The advanced stage of gum disease is not reversible, but the Hite Family Dentistry team can help you manage periodontal symptoms through biannual dental checkups and cleanings.

Early Detection of Dental Issues

One of the best reasons to get professional dental cleanings and evaluations at least every six months is for preventive maintenance and early detection. By visiting your dentist routinely, they will be able to monitor your teeth and overall dental health consistently, both through visual inspections and dental X-rays.

A thorough dental evaluation can alert your dentist to dental issues early, giving them the opportunity to fix any issues before they become a bigger problem, which can save you time, money, and pain. Often, if a dental issue is caught early, your dentist will be able to repair it without major dental work.

Visual Benefits

One of the best reasons to get annual dental cleanings is because of their visual benefits. A professional dental cleaning can leave your teeth brighter and whiter, encouraging you to smile just a little bit more. A brighter smile has been linked to a higher self-esteem, which can help boost your overall happiness. So if you’ve been a little self-conscious about your smile, consider booking yourself an appointment with the team at Hite Family Dentistry for a professional cleaning so they can polish up those pearly whites!

Schedule your checkup today!

The Edwardsville, Ill., dental office of Hite Family Dentistry is always ready to see our patients. We encourage everyone to visit us at least twice a year, or every six months, for preventive care and thorough dental evaluations. Our team will perform a complete dental evaluation of your teeth and gums to make sure there are no hidden issues in your mouth. We will also take dental X-rays to help us look for any issues that aren’t visible to the eye.

After your evaluation, our team will give your teeth a professional cleaning to leave your teeth feeling clean and polished. If there are any dental issues, we’ll use this time to discuss what your options are for correction.

If you haven’t seen us in a while, or have questions about your overall dental health, give us a call to schedule an appointment today!