An additional benefit of professional teeth cleaning is that the dentist gets the chance to look for signs or symptoms that might be associated with other health concerns. Some of those concerns may be related to your oral health, such as gum disease or decaying teeth. Other health concerns have symptoms that can be detected orally, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers. Professional cleanings can help dentists discover some of these concerns, allowing patients to address them quickly and potentially prevent them.