Brushing and flossing your teeth at home each day is a great first step in maintaining good oral health. However, in addition to caring for your teeth at home, you will also need to visit your dentist a few times each year for a dental cleaning. There are several reasons why these cleanings play such an important role in your overall oral health. Continue reading below to learn more about three of these reasons. 

Reason #1: Dental Cleanings Remove Plaque That You Cannot Remove At Home

Even if you are as thorough as possible when brushing and flossing at home, there is a very good chance that you will still have some plaque buildup on your back teeth and along the gums. This is because it is very difficult to remove plaque from these areas yourself. Having this plaque buildup removed will help you to avoid issues such as cavities and gum disease. Since the most effective way to remove this plaque buildup is with a dental cleaning, you will want to make sure that you visit your dentist on a regular basis to have your teeth cleaned. 

Reason #2: Dental Cleanings Allow You To Maintain A Good Relationship With Your Dentist

Maintaining a good relationship with your dentist can help you to avoid any anxiety when it comes to seeking out dental care. This can be very important because far too many people get stuck in the cycle of avoiding dental care because they are embarrassed by the way their teeth look. This choice to avoid dental care only leads to even more oral health problems. Visiting your dentist a couple of times each year for a dental cleaning will allow you to avoid this destructive cycle and help to ensure you are always comfortable seeking out the dental care you require. 

Reason #3: Dental Cleanings Provide The Perfect Opportunity To Catch Problems Early

Even individuals who practice good oral hygiene can experience problems with their teeth. In many cases, catching these problems early will allow individuals to enjoy the largest variety of treatment options. For example, if you have a small cavity, you can choose to simply have this cavity filled. However, if you allow this problem to grow, you could find yourself needing to have a root canal or you could even lose your tooth altogether. A dental cleaning provides your dentist with an opportunity to inspect all of your teeth so that any problems can be detected and treated as quickly as possible.