Contrary to popular belief, teeth whitening and teeth cleanings are not the same thing. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure to remove stains that make your teeth appear yellowish. Whereas teeth cleaning refers to removing plaque and tartar buildups that could cause various dental health issues. 

Plaque is a sticky substance composed of leftover food particles, saliva, and bacteria that attaches to your teeth. In comparison, tartar develops when plaque crystallizes to form a solid at the base of your teeth in the form of a black ring right above the gum line. 

If neglected, plaque and tartar can result in various dental issues such as cavities, gum infections, and tooth loss. Thus, here are three reasons you should get regular teeth cleanings to remove built-up plaque and tartar.

1. Remove Bad Breath  

The bacteria contained in plaque release acids to help break down food particles. But, the reaction between the acid produced by bacteria and food particles produces a foul-smelling gas. As a result, you get bad breath. 

Consider teeth cleaning services if you have bad breath, irrespective of how hard you brush your teeth. This service can alleviate your bad breath by removing the plaque that hosts the bacteria causing your mouth to stink. 

But, if you wait too long before your next teeth cleaning, the plaque will build up again, and the bad breath will return. Thus, you should get regular teeth cleanings to ensure the plaque doesn't build up over time. 

2. Prevent Cavities 

Besides causing bad breath, the acid produced by bacteria in plaque also degrades enamel. As a result, ignoring plaque buildup can result in the acid eating away at your teeth's enamel. And eventually, the deterioration of enamel results in cavities. In fact, the main reason children develop cavities is because of plaque buildup resulting from poor dental hygiene. 

Thus, getting regular cleaning from a dentist can help prevent the development of cavities in adults and children. Besides, teeth cleaning services are more affordable than a filling. Hence, regular teeth cleanings can help you save money on dental fillings by preventing cavities. 

3. Prevent Teeth Loss and Gum Disease

When plaque solidifies to form tartar around the gum line, it causes your gums to recede. As the gums recede, they expose sensitive parts of the tooth not protected by enamel. As a result, when you develop tartar and receding gums, the chances of getting a tooth infection increase. 

Furthermore, tartar makes it challenging to brush your teeth. Hence, germs and bacteria can hide under the tartar and cause gum disease. If you neglect tartar buildup for a long time, you may lose teeth due to decay and infections or develop a severe case of gum disease. 

Early removal of plaque prevents the development of tartar. Hence, regular teeth cleaning can help you avoid gum disease and tooth loss caused by tartar.