A professional teeth cleaning appointment at your dentist’s office is an important step in maintaining good oral hygiene. Though you practice oral hygiene at home, you will need the tools and precision of your dentist’s attention in order to get your smile as clean as possible. Without this care, your teeth might suffer cosmetic and structural damage.
Most people will need to attend these routine dental cleanings twice per year. But some dental patients might have to visit their dentist on a more frequent basis.
A dentist can discuss the unique preventive treatment plan that best suits your smile when you book a dental consultation. But you can also see signs in your smile that point to the need for this dental care. Read on to find four symptoms you might notice in your smile when you are due for a professional dental cleaning.
Chronic Bad Breath
You might notice that your breath can start to smell bad if you skip brushing your teeth. Food particles lingering on your teeth will start to decay and give off a foul odor. But natural bacteria in your mouth will also smell bad if it remains on your smile.
Brushing your teeth and flossing can get rid of a significant amount of plaque and bits of food in your mouth. But a toothbrush might miss certain tricky spots of your smile, such as near your gumline.
If plaque and other residues collect there, it will give off a bad smell that will affect your breath. In order to remove this build-up, you will need a dentist to thoroughly clean your teeth and make your mouth fresh again.
Dental Discoloration
Certain foods and beverages can contain staining agents, especially if they have a dark color. These dark particles can transfer to your teeth and leave discoloration on your smile. A toothbrush can scrub away some of these stains on your smile.
But you might need more targeted and precise tools to address some types of surface stains. A dentist can help you get rid of them or offer cosmetic dental solutions for more stubborn discoloration. Sometimes, dark tooth stains can be a sign of decay, which will also need dental attention.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth pain of any kind is abnormal and warrants an evaluation from your dentist. Sensitive teeth in particular may point to an underlying dental problem that requires urgent treatment. This can feel like a sharp pain when you bite into a food or a beverage touches your tooth.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel, the outer shell of the tooth, weakens or sustains damage that exposes underlying nerves. Cavities and other dental issues may be behind this problem, so do not wait to tell your dentist if your teeth feel sensitive.
Irritated Gums
You might think that a dental cleaning focuses primarily on the wellness of your teeth. But you can see problems with your gums when you need a professional dental cleaning too.
Build-up of plaque or tartar near the gumline can irritate the tissue there. The gums might then look red or swollen. They might also bleed or feel sore. This inflammation could be an early sign of gum disease, so make sure you visit your dentist to protect your periodontal health.