A wise person once said that your mouth is a window to your body’s health. A dental health professional can actually predict and diagnose many health conditions just by examining a patient’s teeth, gums, and oral tissues.
This is one reason why it’s so important to visit a dental hygienist on a regular basis. Not only do they clean your teeth to prevent plaque from building up on your enamel and causing decay, but they also spot other potential health concerns that need further examination.
Here are three other benefits of regularly visiting a dental hygienist, according to the A Plus Institute.
1. Prevent Bad Breath
Most people can get rid of occasional bad breath by brushing their teeth, chewing gum, or eating a mint, but if you are experiencing chronic bad breath, it’s an indication that you have bacteria below your gum line that is causing odor, a condition called halitosis. No one likes having bad breath because it causes other people to keep their distance, but it’s also a sign that you need to have your teeth cleaned.
Dental hygienists will remove plaque from your teeth and clean below the gum line to get rid of the bacteria that is causing your bad breath. They have special tools and are trained to use them to eliminate odor-causing bacteria, something you can’t do on your own with over-the-counter products.
Plus, your dental hygienist will give you recommendations on how to prevent halitosis in the future (including coming back to the hygienist in six or so months).
2. Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gums that surround your teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to bleeding gums, intense pain, and tooth loss. It is caused by a build-up of plaque on teeth that turns into tartar, which is essentially mineralized dead bacteria that can be challenging to remove without the right tools.
Bad breath is a sign of gum disease, as are swollen gums, bleeding gums, pain, and loose teeth. When gum disease spreads to the bone beneath the teeth, it deteriorates the bone, which then does not provide a solid foundation for the teeth.
While there are mouthwashes and home remedies to help soften and dissolve tartar, it can only be eliminated with a cleaning from a trained dental hygienist. If you want to keep your teeth for a lifetime, it’s important to get your teeth regularly cleaned to prevent tartar buildup.
Even if you get a little plaque on your teeth between cleanings, it won’t have enough time to harden into tartar and spread to your gums and bone.
3. Improve Confidence
Regular teeth cleanings from a dental hygienist can keep your smile sparkling, which in turn, will improve your confidence in public. Your pearly whites will shine after every cleaning, as your hygienist will remove any tobacco, wine, coffee, or tea stains using a powerful paste and cleaning tools. White, stain-free teeth are an indication of overall health, which is a confidence booster as well.
Conclusion
Getting your teeth cleaned may not be on your list of the most fun things to do, but it’s important to prioritize your mouth’s health to prevent other medical conditions. Plus, your self-esteem will get a boost, too!
Article and permission to publish here provided by Patrick Otto. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on July 30, 2023.
Cover image by Reto Gerber from Pixabay