There can be a tremendous amount of anxiety before any dental appointment. Maybe you had a bad experience with a dental procedure in the past. Many are worried or self conscious about the state of their teeth, and don’t want to be criticized by a dental professional. It could even be the bright lights and unfamiliar equipment that instills fear in patients. Whatever the case may be, the dentists office is never on anyone’s list of favorite places. Today, I want to tell you four simple reasons for why going to visit a dentist will make you a healthier person overall. Regular dental cleanings are absolutely essential in maintaining a healthy mouth and body, there is no reason to fear them.

1. Deep Cleaning for a Smooth Smile

It can be difficult to maintain proper oral health all on your own. Honestly, you probably can’t clean certain parts of your mouth very well by yourself. This is a very common issue that dental professionals notice. It’s not your fault, some areas in your mouth are so hard to get to that even we have a hard time when you are in the dental chair! We can give you that deep clean that makes your teeth feel pearly and smooth. Dentists know the difficult areas that you miss in daily cleanings, and in cleaning them, they prevent future cavities. We are probably the only ones who actually look in those places to make sure the teeth and the gums are in good shape.

Tough to Reach Places Include:

• The back of the mouth and the molars
• Between the teeth
• The gum line

Dentists have the necessary tools ready in order to reach these places that your toothbrush can’t. This is why, even if you think you can clean your teeth properly on your own, it is essential you check in with your dentist. Let your dentist know beforehand if you have anxiety about dental visits. Trust us, we don’t bite!

2. We Check Your Mouth for Disease

During every dental visit dentists always check your mouth and gums for signs of illness or disease. Specifically, we check you for oral cancer, which can develop rapidly, unnoticed by a patient for years. When you come in for your cleanings, we actually look at the sides of your tongue and the back of your throat for any sores or lumps, warning signs for oral cancer. Your dentist is probably the only one doing this, that’s why it’s necessary to have frequent checkups.

Signs of Oral Cancer:

• Open, often painless sores that don’t heal
• Lumps or thickening anywhere in the mouth
• Jaw pain
• Unexplained swelling in the gums

These are just a few symptoms of many that your dentist can observe. Often times, visiting a dentist can prevent cases of oral cancer before they become life threatening. Oral cancer can develop in anyone, so it is always important to keep up to date with dental appointments. Visiting your dentist might save your life!

3.  We Get Rid of Plaque

That crusty, yellow mess along your gums and between your teeth is nearly impossible to rectify with your toothbrush. We can get rid of plaque and tartar buildup behind your teeth, in between your teeth, sometimes even under your gums. Plaque and tartar builds up over months and even years, which means that the more you see your dentist, the less you’ll have. During regular dental cleanings, we get rid of all those bacterial colonies that cause plaque and tartar to occur. We give you a cleaner mouth. Overtime, if it is not dealt with, these bacteria can actually get into your bloodstream. Bacteria in your blood can actually cause problems with your heart and other organs. Not to mention plaque and bacterial buildup is the leading cause for bad breath and gum irritation.

4.  It’s Probably Free!

The final reason to be at ease when visiting the dentist is that it doesn’t cost you anything! Your cleaning is most likely free if you have insurance. Nowadays, there is groupon and Living Social that offer cheap cleanings and checkups.  There is no reason why everyone cannot get their teeth cleaned and checked at least 2 times per year. If you do not have dental insurance, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered here at LA Dental Clinic. We offer two dental cleanings per year for every patient that joins our in house dental plan. This means that we’ve got you and your family covered! There’s nothing to fear about going to the dentist, and there is so much to gain.

Dentists Don’t Bite!

Remember, your mouth and your teeth are part of your body. You need to keep them in top shape so that you can be the best version of yourself. Dentists are nothing to fear, just like doctors and others in the medical profession. Dentists are trained professionals who know what to look for, even when you don’t. Let your dentist know beforehand if you have anxiety, we will do everything we can to make the dental cleaning experience better for you. Dentists are aware that many children and adults are worried about going for regular cleanings. It is very important to us that you know that we are just here to help. Find a friendly dentist and make it a priority to take care of your smile. Come in or call us today, we are always open to new patients.