Especially if you brush your teeth several times a day, you may not see the point in spending the time and money it takes to have a cleaning performed at your dentist's office. However, there are a few good reasons why it is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis.

1.  Keeps Your Breath Fresher

If it has been a while since your last dental cleaning, you may have noticed that you are having problems with keeping your breath smelling fresh. Even if you brush after every meal, use mouthwash, and suck on mints, your breath always has a funky odor to it.

When you do not have your teeth professionally cleaned, tartar and plaque will build up on the surface of the enamel. These sticky substances will trap food and liquid residue, where they remain and start to emit an odor.

And as if that is not enough to cause bad breath, the stuck-on residue also feeds bacterial growth. As the bacteria grow, they give off a byproduct that smells awful, which contributes to your foul breath. 

However, when you have your teeth professionally cleaned, the excess tartar and plaque, along with the stuck residue and bacteria, are scraped and cleaned away. You will most likely notice an immediate improvement in your breath after the cleaning.

2.  Helps to Prevent Gum Disease

Tartar, plaque, and bacterial buildup do not only cause bad breath. Their accumulation can also lead to something much worse -- gum disease.

Because the buildup of tartar and plaque occurs most often along your gumline, the bacteria that feed off these substances are in direct contact with the gum tissue. As the bacterial growth increases and spreads, it enters the tissue and causes inflammation.

At first, you may notice that your gums are red and swollen, which usually indicates that the earliest form of gum disease, gingivitis, has started. This type is reversible with proper cleaning and treatment by your dentist.

However, if you do not have your teeth cleaned and gums checked out, the infection in your gums will eventually lead to a more advanced form of gum disease, which is periodontal disease. With this type, your gums will start to bleed under the slightest of pressure and start to recede.

If left without treatment, you may even experience tooth loss because the diseased tissue can no longer support the teeth. Having your teeth professionally cleaned once or twice a year can help remove the disease-causing coating on your teeth, as well as allowing the dentist to find any signs of early gum disease so that action can be taken.

3.  Lets the Dentist Find Issues Sooner Rather Than Later

During your dental cleaning, gum disease is not the only thing that can be discovered by your dentist. When you regularly show up to the office for your appointments, it gives the dentist a chance to examine your teeth so that they can find any issues before they lead to tooth decay or loss.

Once your teeth are cleaned, they can look at your teeth to see if you have the start of cavities or enamel erosion. And especially if you are a smoker, they can check for the early signs of oral cancer so that diagnosis and treatment can begin right away.

After learning or being reminded of the importance of having your teeth professionally cleaned, you may be ready to go ahead and schedule an appointment. Contact your dentist's office to set up a time for a dental cleaning, as well as an examination, especially if it has been a while since you have paid your dentist a visit.