Keeping up with our dental cleanings is important, especially since only 13.5% of Americans floss every day according to Dentaly.com. But when you visit dental clinics, your dentist does much more than just clean your teeth. Here are the most common issues your dentist will check for.

Cavities

Cavities can be expensive to treat. When you keep up with your cleanings at dental clinics, your dentist will be able to catch cavities early, making them less expensive to treat. Dentists will also look for signs of tooth decay because of how common an issue it is. Tooth decay happens when sugary or starchy foods are left on the teeth. Since the bacteria in your mouth like these foods, they produce acids resulting in tooth decay.

Gum Disease

Gum disease affects a lot of people, and most people who have it don't even know it. Any early signs of gum disease can be caught and treated by your dentist if you keep up with your dental cleaning appointments.

Oral Cancer

Regular dental cleanings are important for everyone, but especially for people who smoke or use tobacco. These activities have been linked to oral cancer, so it is even more important that you keep up with your dental cleaning appointments so your dentist can check and monitor your mouth for any signs of oral cancer.

Fillings

If you have fillings, you should know that they don't always last forever. Depending on your oral hygiene as well as the type of filling, they can decay or become defective. During your cleanings, your dentist will check all your fillings to make sure they are secure and can do any repairs if needed.

Overall Health

Keeping up with dental cleanings will protect your overall health. Not only can your dentist help you with your oral hygiene habits, but by keeping your mouth free of problems like gum disease, your risk of heart disease or diabetes is lowered.

As you can see, there are many problems that dental clinics check for during your dental cleaning appointments. Catching these problems early is the key to good oral hygiene, so you shouldn't think twice about the importance of keeping up with your dental cleaning appointments.