The look and underlying health of your smile is important for many reasons. Not only will a clean, white smile improve your appearance and self-esteem, but having a healthy smile also ensures you are not at risk of dangerous infections and tooth loss. Most people believe they know how to maintain a healthy smile, but they may not be doing enough. Professional teeth cleanings are recommended at least once a year, but twice a year is ideal to most dentists. Of course, you may not even think these professional cleanings are necessary. With this guide, you will learn the truth about a few common misconceptions regarding dental cleanings.

Your Teeth Are Already White

If you whiten your teeth periodically, you may think dental cleanings are not necessary. This is a common misconception that needs to be addressed since it is preventing many people from having clean and healthy teeth and gums.

Food residue can turn to plaque on your teeth even if they are white and bright. This plaque erodes tooth enamel, which leads to cavities and decay.

Professional cleanings remove food residue and plaque, protecting your smile from dangerous dental conditions. Remember that having white, bright teeth is not the same as having clean and healthy teeth and gums, so schedule professional cleanings and checkups in addition to using whitening pastes and undergoing whitening treatments.

Your Brushing Is Sufficient

If you want healthy teeth and gums, you need to brush your teeth twice a day for around two minutes at a time. In addition, you need to floss in between your teeth once a day. You may think following these rules for brushing and flossing is sufficient, but most people do not spend enough time or place enough effort into their oral hygiene.

You should use soft, circular motions when brushing your teeth. Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles that are in good condition, as well. Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel, protecting your smile from plaque and decay.

Place a good amount of effort into your flossing, too. Flossing removes food residue that brushing cannot.

Brushing and flossing are essential, they cannot remove heavy amounts of plaque and tartar or debris that has seeped into the tooth enamel. Professional cleanings are the best option for removing this stubborn plaque before it begins to erode and decay your teeth.

Your Veneers/Implant Don't Require It

Another common misconception people have is that dental cleanings and checkups are not actually necessary if you have veneers or implants. Again, this is not true, and believing this myth can lead to underlying dental disorders that stain or break your veneers or implants.

Whether you received veneers to restore a damaged, stained, misaligned smile or you received implants after losing one or more teeth due to an injury or gum disease, your dentist will want you to treat your veneers/implants like your natural teeth.

Food residue and plaque can build up on porcelain veneers, your underlying teeth, your dental implants, and your gum tissue. Without proper cleaning and care, this plaque can erode your smile and gum tissue, increasing the risk of tooth decay and tooth loss.

You should continue brushing and flossing your porcelain veneers and dental implants in the same way as you would brush and floss your natural teeth. You also need to schedule routine checkups that include professional cleanings.

You should set aside the right amount of time for your oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings are all a part of good oral hygiene if you want a healthy and appealing smile. This guide and your local dentist, such as Family Dentistry Of Woodstock, will help you learn the importance of professional cleanings.