Oral Prophylaxis or Dental Cleaning should be done every 6 months for most patients without gum or bone diseases. The following are the reasons why you shouldn't skip your Oral Prophylaxis:
1. Prevents bad breath - this is self-explanatory already since cleaning involves removing the bacteria in the mouth that causes bad breath, like plaque (white film filled with bacteria located on tooth and gum surfaces), calcular deposits (calcified or hardened plaque) and stains. Harboring these will cause infection in the mouth which then causes bad breath.
2. Prevents infection of the gums and bone - There are numerous things that your toothbrush and floss can't remove and can only be removed through professional oral prophylaxis like calcular deposits and stains. Calcular deposit with plaque causes the infection of the gums called Gingivitis and infection of the bone called Periodontitis. Gingivitis is reversible, which means that while the infection is still at this level, Oral Prophylaxis can still reverse the harmful effects caused by Gingivitis on the gums like bleeding, itchy or painful gums, and swollen gums. However, Periodontitis is irreversible and is next-level Gingivitis where the infection has reached the bone underneath the gums which holds the tooth in place and cannot be reversed by plain Oral Prophylaxis which will then require surgical procedures to bring back its original state.
3. Prevents dental decay - Teeth that do not receive regular Oral Prophylaxis will usually have rough and uneven surfaces from calcular deposits and stains, and sticky surfaces from plaque which can house, protect and feed bacteria that promote dental decay.
4. Prevents the worsening of systemic illnesses - Gingivitis is found to worsen heart problems and COVID-19 symptoms to name a few. Blood flows through the gums and eventually throughout the entire body, making it not hard to imagine how it can affect bodily illnesses as well.
5. Prevents costly procedures - By going to your dentist every 6 months to get your Oral Prophylaxis, a routine check-up is inevitable which detects the early onset of decay or infection that can prevent you from having to spend more money for more procedures because infection or big damage has been prevented.
I try to make explanations as simple as I could for the general public to appreciate and understand. If there are certain areas that still confuse you or you want a deeper understanding, you may email me at dr.rafaelle@gmail.com. If you have questions regarding your personal case, I am more than happy to give you a consultation. Just book an appointment with us via email, SMS/WhatsApp/Viber (+639778130101), or through this link: Book an Appointment.
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