Why Do I Need Professional Teeth Cleaning If I Brush and Floss Daily?

You diligently brush your teeth twice a day and never skip flossing. You take pride in your oral hygiene routine and know it's essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

But did you know that the American Dental Academy recommends seeing your dentist regularly, even if you’re doing everything right? Aditi Saxena, DDS, Deepal Patel, DMD, and our team at Austin Advanced Dentistry offer general dental care for all ages, and we recommend getting teeth cleanings about twice a year.

Professional teeth cleanings are just as important as daily oral hygiene for a healthy and beautiful smile, and here’s why.

Professional teeth cleanings remove tough plaque and tartar

Your teeth and gums naturally collect plaque when you eat and drink. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria. And despite your best efforts, there are areas in your mouth that your toothbrush and floss can't reach.

When plaque builds up in these hard-to-reach places, it hardens into tartar (or calculus) — especially along your gum line and between your teeth. Tartar increases your risk of cavities and decay, and it can only be removed by a dental professional using specialized tools. No matter how meticulous your home oral care routine is, tartar accumulation is inevitable.

Professional teeth cleanings reach all the nooks and crannies

Although home dental care has improved greatly over the years, even the most advanced toothbrush can't match the precision of a dental hygienist's tools. During professional cleanings, we carefully remove plaque and tartar from all surfaces of your teeth, including those pesky areas you may have missed at home.

Once all the plaque and tartar are gone, we polish your teeth to remove surface stains and make it harder for plaque to accumulate in the future. This meticulous cleaning prevents cavities and gum disease and helps you maintain fresh breath and a bright smile.

Professional teeth cleanings include preventive care

Regular professional cleanings also allow early detection of oral health issues. Our team is trained to identify signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other problems that may not be apparent to you.

When we detect these issues early, we can start treatment sooner and prevent these oral health issues from progressing into more serious and costly problems.

There's no denying that brushing and flossing at home are important, but they can't replace professional care. Think of professional teeth cleaning as a crucial complement to your daily oral hygiene routine rather than a substitute for it — and your smile will thank you for it.

Is it time to schedule your next teeth cleaning? Call our Austin, Texas, office at 512-886-6734 or request an appointment online now.