Have you been in for a teeth cleaning and examination lately with your local dentist? If not, you are missing out on many of the benefits offered by this twice a year service. Not only that, but missing these appointments can allow a number of developing dental health issues to go undetected. When you visit your local dental team for your twice yearly cleaning and exam, you are making sure that your teeth are kept clear of plaque and tartar. This, in addition to an exam, goes a long way in maintaining superior oral health. No matter your age, the American Dental Association recommends this be done twice a year. If you are looking for a dentist near you in the Griffin, Georgia area, you should consider visiting Dr. Mark Martindale and the friendly team at Martindale Family Dentistry.

Your Cleaning and Examination

When you visit your dentist for your twice a year visit, there are two main services provided to you as the patient. These services are an examination and a cleaning. When you brush your teeth, you are removing bacteria and plaque that builds up on your teeth throughout the day. There are parts of your mouth, however, which are harder to reach and where bacteria will remain. As this bacteria is allowed to thrive, it can lead to gum disease and decay. Visiting your dentist for a cleaning will allow these hard to reach areas to be thoroughly cleaned, in addition to the rest of your mouth.

You will also receive an examination. Allowing your dentist to examine your mouth twice a year allows them to detect early signs of various dental health concerns. From early signs of tooth decay to oral cancer, your dentist knows what to look for. When dental health issues are caught early, this allows for less-invasive treatments to cure the issue. Spotting tooth decay early will allow for a filling to correct the issue as opposed to a root canal if that decay were allowed to spread into the tooth. Seeing your dentist for these services will help keep your dental health in check.

Benefits of Dental Cleaning

In addition to what has been discussed already, professional teeth cleanings provide great benefits to dental patients. Let us look at some of these now.

1. Early Detection

As was mentioned already, the most important benefit you will get as a patient when visiting your dentist for a cleaning and exam is early detection. Early detection will not only save you from more serious dental health problems, but it will also save you money and time. A simple filling will cost you far less than a root canal and a crown would.

2. Cavity and Gum Disease Prevention

When you visit your dentist for a cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth and from along the gumline. Acid produced from plaque will eat away at the tooth’s enamel and, over time, lead to decay. Gum disease develops when this same plaque allows bacteria to infect the gums at and below the gumline. By visiting your dentist for a regularly scheduled cleaning, this damaging plaque, tartar, and bacteria is removed, and you will not need to worry about cavities and gum disease developing because of it.

3. End Bad Breath

Chronic bad breath that is caused by bacteria and plaque in the mouth is called halitosis. The bacteria which plaque is made up of is what causes this foul odor that will keep others at a distance. It does not matter how many breath mints you eat, if you are not going in for regular dental cleanings, then your breath is going to stink!

4. Improve Your Overall Health

Are you aware of the link between your oral health and overall wellbeing? Science has found that your oral health and overall health are directly linked. For instance, gum disease increases your risk of heart disease. Bacteria in the mouth can travel throughout the body, causing damage wherever it travels. It can even travel to your lungs and lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. This is just another reason to keep your mouth clean via a professional cleaning at your dentist.

If you are ready to reap the benefits offered from regular dental cleanings and examinations, please reach out to the team at Martindale Family Dentistry. Dr. Mark Martindale would love to see you. To schedule an appointment, please call 770-637-5876.

Dr. Mark Martindale

Dr. Mark Martindale, DDS, is a dedicated and compassionate cosmetic dentist with over a decade and a half of experience. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College and completed a residency at the Miami VA Medical Center. As the founder of Martindale Family Dentistry in Griffin, Georgia, Dr. Martindale is committed to conservative dental care. He is an active member of the Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, and Student National Dental Association. He frequently volunteers his expertise as a Preceptor at the Ben Massell dental clinic in Atlanta and other underserved communities across Georgia. You can rely on Dr. Martindale for exceptional, patient-centered care that prioritizes your needs.

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