Do you really need to go the dentist every 6 months? This one is easy – the answer is YES!

1. BRUSHING AND FLOSSING CAN’T GET EVERYTHING

Brushing and flossing regularly is critical for good oral hygiene. However, they alone cannot completely clean your teeth. Over time, tiny amounts of bacteria in your mouth slowly build up into plaque and tartar. Tartar is a leading cause of tooth decay.

Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. The only way to completely remove it is a full cleaning by your dentist. The combination of brushing, flossing and biannual dental cleanings is the best way to prevent plaque and tartar from becoming a problem in your mouth.

2. KEEP YOUR GUMS HEALTHY

Gum disease can become a serious problem. Left untreated, gum disease quickly progresses into periodontitis, a condition in which the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. Once it has begun, periodontitis requires expensive and invasive treatments.

Regular dental cleanings are the single best way to prevent gum disease. Your dentist or oral hygienist uses special tools that remove tiny bits of decaying food from between your teeth and from your gum line. This prevents bacteria from building up and causing major problems.

3. LOOK – AND SMELL – YOUR BEST

Going to the dentist leaves you with a fresh, clean-feeling mouth. Regular cleanings can also prevent your teeth from turning yellow or brown. Your smile will look its best right after your dental visit.

Just as importantly, anyone standing near you will thank you for going to the dentist. A dental cleaning eliminates tiny specks of food that are rotting in your mouth. The rotting food is a magnet for bacteria that cause bad breath. If you’ve skipped an appointment, your breath will quickly give it away.

4. SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG TERM

Dental work can be very expensive. Cavities, crowns, root canals and pulled teeth can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. If your teeth start to hurt from lack of dental care, you will have to undergo these expensive procedures to live a normal life.

Regular dental visits prevent your teeth from needing more invasive and expensive procedures. While check-ups do cost money, dental insurance often covers it. If you do not have dental insurance, in the long term, paying for cleanings twice per year can still save you thousands upon thousands of dollars, not to mention skipping dental pain and uncomfortable procedures.

5. DO IT FOR YOUR HEALTH

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of our bodies. That’s why oral hygiene is so important. Lack of dental care can lead to heart disease, breathing problems, diabetic complications and even dementia.

Going to the dentist is about more than just having a healthy smile. It is about preventing serious health conditions from dramatically impacting your quality of life.

VISIT THE DENTIST TWICE EACH YEAR

Going to the dentist just makes sense. You’ll keep your mouth healthy, save money, prevent serious health problems and look and smell your best. If you’ve been putting off your next visit, now is the time to bite the bullet and set up an appointment. Your future self will be glad you did.