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Why should I go to the Dentist if I floss and brush my teeth daily?

Even if you're a dedicated brusher and flosser, you still need to visit the dentist twice a year. Brushing and flossing are important, but they're not enough. You do your best to keep up with your oral health—and we're proud of you for that! But just because you're doing the right thing doesn't mean you can skip the dentist. In this article, we will dive deeper into why it is important to keep up with your dentist visits.

Prevent Gum Disease

While it's true that brushing and flossing are the first line of defense against tooth decay and gum disease, they're not enough. By going to the dentist regularly, you can help prevent gum disease. The most common cause of gum disease is plaque; a sticky film made up of bacteria and food particles that forms on teeth. Plaque causes inflammation in the gums and can lead to tooth decay and bone loss.

The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush and floss your teeth regularly, but if you don't, your dentist can use a scaler to remove any plaque from your teeth. A hygienist can then clean your teeth with an antibacterial solution before applying fluoride treatment to help prevent new plaque from forming.

If you're unsure if you have gum disease, be sure to talk with your dentist about how often they recommend coming in for regular check-ups. In these check-ups, your dentist can monitor any potential problems before they become serious!

Cavities Prevention

Cavities can still form even with proper brushing and flossing. The problem is that many people need to understand how the acid in your mouth works. When you eat or drink foods with sugar, the bacteria in your mouth break down that sugar into a form of acid called plaque. Over time, this acid dissolves minerals in your teeth, which leads to cavities. Brushing and flossing are important ways to reduce the plaque on your teeth—but they aren't enough. That's why it's so important to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings. A dental cleaning removes all the plaque between your teeth and below the gum line so that it doesn't have a chance to build up into hard tartar or cause decay.

Closing

Symptoms of poor oral health don't always show up immediately, either. That's why it's important to visit your dentist at least twice a year: they can check for signs of poor oral health before they become serious problems. The best way to catch these early signs is through regular dental checkups! So please keep up the good work of keeping your mouth clean—but go see the dentist twice a year anyway. Going to the dentist on top of flossing and daily brushing of your teeth will help fight gum disease and other poor health symptoms that develop over time. Call us today to schedule a dentist appointment. We look forward to seeing your smile!