It might seem basic, but a routine dental cleaning and exam is the most basic yet preventive — and vital — treatment you can do for your oral health. 

During a cleaning and exam at Smile Advanced Dental Center, in Summerville, SC, here is a quick overview of what you can expect.

• Teeth cleaning to remove any plaque or tartar
• Flossing and polishing of teeth for a healthy, bright smile
• Overall exam of your smile for signs of any adverse dental conditions or signs of disease 

But the real secret to the success of this routine treatment is the TIMING of the dental cleaning and exam — and every six months is the secret sauce. Here’s why that bi-annual schedule is so important to maintain good oral health.

Cleans Built-Up Plaque & Tartar

No matter how diligent you are with your dental care, even the best brushers and flossers among us will miss some spots and have some plaque that accumulates — and that can be problematic, especially when it hardens into tartar. This can happen even in the span of six months, making those bi-annual visits important for maintenance because only dental professionals have the adequate tools and equipment to remove the tartar while protecting the teeth’s enamel.

“The removal of plaque and built-up tartar is often the longest part of your dental cleaning and exam,” says Dr. Stephen Parker of Smile Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC. “But it’s painless and so important to maintaining the health of your teeth — plus, it has the effect of removing minor surface-level stains and immediately brightening your smile.”

Identifies and Treats Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

When tartar buildup happens — especially below the gumline — it can create tooth decay and also be irritating to the gum tissue, causing bleeding (gingivitis), pain, and bad breath. It can even lead to gum disease (periodontal disease).  

A dental cleaning and exam twice a year — with X-rays recommended annually — allows your dentist to check your teeth for any signs of decay and cavities while evaluating any slight changes in your gums and gum tissue that could be the precursor to gum disease.

It’s best to catch any small issues as early as possible to treat a problem before it gets worse!

“It’s far easier and cost-effective for patients to fix a cavity when it is small cavity — rather than wait for something to turn into a major cavity or a root canal because they skipped a dental cleaning and exam for a year or so,” says Dr. Stephen Parker.

Provides Screenings for Oral Cancer — and Beyond 

Oral cancer rates are on the rise across the U.S. It can be hard to detect in its early stages because the symptoms can be very similar to other health problems.

Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, throat (pharynx), sinuses, and hard and soft palate. While oral cancer can usually be successfully treated when detected early, most cases of oral cancer are not detected until they have progressed into a more serious, advanced stage that is much more difficult to treat.

“At Smile Advanced Dental Center, we include oral cancer screenings as part of our routine dental cleaning and exam to put your mind at ease or create a plan to address any health issues identified,” says Dr. Parker. “We also check blood pressure, lymph nodes, and more. It’s not just about your teeth; it’s about your overall oral health which can influence full-body health, too. Studies are showing us that good oral hygiene also lowers inflammation and can even be protective for your heart.”

Reinforces good habits

Establishing discipline around regular six-month dental cleanings and exams is a habit you want to make stick. The best way to do this is to actually go to your bi-annual appointments! 

Sure, it is an hour or two that you’d likely prefer to spend otherwise. But it’s a good investment that will help decrease the likelihood of more time-consuming and costly treatments that could have been avoided if caught early.

Take this as your cue to schedule your bi-annual teeth cleaning and exam at Smile Advanced Dental Care in Summerville, SC.