How would you describe your oral hygiene routine if you were honest with yourself? Are you brushing and flossing daily? Are you paying attention to what you are eating or drinking? Do you go to the dentist regularly?

Even if you are brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and avoiding overly sugary or starchy foods, regular trips to the dentist every six months are a big part of your oral care routine and will help to prevent tooth decay. But many people skip out on this last step, assuming that their at-home routine is enough.

In this article, the team at Stephen J. Spencer, DDS, your Great Falls family dental clinic, will walk you through what you need to know about regular dental cleanings and how at-home care is good (and something you should keep doing), but it’s not enough.

Removal of Plaque and Tartar 

Every moment of every day, bacteria on your teeth form plaque—a sticky film that loves to cling to your enamel. When plaque isn’t removed promptly through brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar, which is impossible to get rid of on your own. No matter how thorough you are with your toothbrush, tartar requires specialized tools and training to remove. That’s where your dentist and hygienist come in.

Leaving tartar untreated doesn’t just affect your smile; it can lead to more serious oral health problems over time. Tartar buildup irritates your gums, causing them to become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding—these are the early signs of gum disease. Left unchecked, gum disease can progress to more advanced stages, potentially resulting in gum recession, tooth loss, and even damage to the jaw bone.

But the risks don’t stop there. Gum disease and untreated tooth decay are linked to larger health concerns, such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes complications, and even respiratory infections. Regular dental cleanings remove tartar before it can escalate into these serious issues.

Early Detection of Dental Issues

You know all those health concerns we just mentioned? Many of these concerns can go undetected when you aren’t visiting the dentist often enough. So, when you see your dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning and oral evaluation, it helps us to keep track of changes, no matter how subtle they might be.

Think of it this way—even a small cavity today can turn into a bigger problem tomorrow, leading to pain, infection, or even the need for more extensive treatments like root canals or crowns.

But it’s not just about cavities. Dental cleanings also include oral cancer screenings. Oral cancer can develop silently, with symptoms that are easy to overlook. When detected early, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 80% to 90%, which means a much better outlook compared with later stages.

Regular visits let your dentist monitor for subtle changes, whether it’s a suspicious spot, a cavity, or signs of gum disease. These appointments are about catching concerns early—before they have a chance to cause bigger issues.

Strengthening Teeth with Fluoride

Your teeth need fluoride to keep them strong and lessen the risk of tooth decay. Though most of us get enough fluoride through natural sources, whether that’s naturally from foods or as a supplement to drinking water, there are still some areas in the U.S. where fluoride is not readily available from all those same sources. And, many bottled water manufacturers do not add fluoride to their water. 

Ultimately, you should be getting three to four milligrams of fluoride per day. An extra dose through fluoride treatment from your dentist in Great Falls simply provides that additional layer of protection.

Long-Term Benefits of Routine Cleanings 

You can probably ascertain for yourself at this point that regular dental cleanings have plenty of benefits. And the number one benefit is cavity prevention by stopping tooth decay from forming in the first place or stopping it in its tracks.

That said, here are some of the long-term benefits of regular checkups you’ll enjoy:

• Reduced risk of cavities: By removing plaque and tartar, cleanings help prevent tooth decay before it starts.
• Healthier gums: Regular cleanings reduce the chance of gum disease, keeping your gums firm and pink.
• Lower risk of tooth loss: Preventing gum disease and decay helps you keep your natural teeth longer.
• Fresher breath: Professional cleanings remove odor-causing bacteria that brushing alone can’t tackle.
• Better overall health: Maintaining your oral health has been linked to lower risks of heart disease, diabetes complications, and other systemic conditions.
• Brighter smile: Removing surface stains during a cleaning helps your teeth look their best.

Schedule your next regular dental cleaning at Stephen J. Spencer, DDS.

Our goal is to help you keep your smile healthy and happy. This means a focus on cavity prevention, preventing the development of cavities, and keeping your gums in great condition. If you are overdue for a dental cleaning, there is no better time than the present to get on our calendar.

Schedule your appointment today and see why our approach to general dentistry is safe, comfortable, and focused on your overall health.