Dental Cleanings Protect Your Teeth
Dental Cleanings
Having a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year can protect and even improve your dental health. The American Dental Association recommends bi-yearly dental cleanings and exams for people of all ages. By reinforcing at-home oral care with dental visits, one can work to prevent cavities and gum disease.
What to Expect From a Dental Cleaning and Examination
The ADA has provided information on the percentage of Americans who seek routine dental care. Unfortunately, the study revealed that around 42% do not have dental cleanings and exams as often as recommended. Dental cleanings are one of the most important aspects of oral health care. (Reference: American Dental Association (ada.org)
Dental cleanings provide a range of preventative care treatments to give patients a beautiful and healthy smile. Children should begin having dental cleanings around the age of three, and this should continue throughout their life.
Cleaning the teeth is done by dental hygienists and begins with an examination. The hygienist will check the patient’s entire mouth and report any oral health concerns to the dentist. In most dental offices, X-rays are carried out during this appointment. A dental cleaning includes the following steps:
Plaque and Tartar Removal
The hygienist removes any plaque and tartar coating the teeth using a scaler. While plaque can be removed with at-home brushing, tartar is a hardened calculus that should only be removed at the dental office.
Deep Cleaning
Next, the hygienist uses gritty toothpaste and an electric brush to perform a deep cleaning of the teeth. The grittiness of the paste helps to remove extrinsic discoloration. This deep cleaning is safe to have done twice a year, and it is effective in removing the substances that lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Flossing
Dental cleaning in Tucson would not be complete without expert flossing. Unfortunately, many people do not floss as often as they should. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles that can become wedged between the teeth. In these vulnerable areas, gum disease and cavities can often begin. Professional flossing helps clean these areas and identify any problem zones that may need to be addressed with further dental care.
Fluoride Treatment
Aside from dental cleanings, there is another key element to healthy teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that is essential for keeping tooth enamel strong. Dental offices have been applying fluoride topically to their patients for decades.
Fluoride will be swabbed or painted directly on the teeth during the treatment. Fluoride may come in a gel, foam, or liquid form. After the fluoride is applied, you should avoid eating or drinking for at least thirty minutes to allow it to penetrate the deepest layers of your teeth.
Factors That May Increase the Risk of Tooth Decay
Most often referred to as cavities, dental caries are one of the teeth’s biggest threats. Some factors may make a person more vulnerable to developing cavities, and they include the following:
- Poor oral hygiene practices (Lack of brushing and flossing)
- Untreated dental decay
- Poor diet
- Avoiding dental cleanings and exams
- Increased cavity-causing bacteria
Taking care of the teeth at home, eating a healthy diet, and seeing the dentist twice a year can reduce the incidence of cavities. The dental team partners to help maintain a healthy and beautiful smile for life.
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FAQ
People often wonder whether getting dental cleanings is essential or how often they need to see the dentist. Having your questions answered before going to the dentist makes people less nervous when it comes time to sit in the dental chair.
How do regular dental cleanings benefit you?
Most people know they need to see their dentist, but they may not realize the sheer importance of routine dental cleanings. These cleanings are an integral part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Although you brush at home, some spots are more difficult to reach, and these can become vulnerable to cavities. Dental cleanings clean your teeth completely.
How often should you see the dentist?
For most people, the answer to this question is every six months. Some people will need to see their dentist more often. Those with certain oral health conditions, such as gum disease, will need ongoing dental care to manage their disease.
What happens if you do not keep your teeth clean?
Everyone knows brushing and flossing are important and most see their dentists regularly. Avoiding brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can lead to a buildup of bad bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria create acids that eat away at your teeth, eroding the protective enamel and eventually causing decay. Your mouth is full of bacteria and needs to be kept clean for healthy teeth and gums.
Do dental cleanings hurt?
Routine dental cleanings do not cause any pain. The dental hygienist uses tools that safely and gently clean the teeth without causing any undue discomfort. Most people feel better after their teeth cleaning appointments because their mouth feels so clean and their teeth are shiny.
How do you keep your teeth clean and healthy after the appointment?
To ensure your teeth stay nice and clean between visits, at-home dental care is critical. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once. After eating, rinse your mouth to remove any acids. To prevent cavities, limit sugary foods and beverages. Drinking water keeps your mouth hydrated.
Schedule Your Dental Cleaning
Neglecting your teeth can lead to complicated oral health issues that become expensive to treat. Seeing the dentist twice a year for your checkup and dental cleaning offers preventative care that will keep your smile healthy and strong.
With routine dental cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed before they begin causing tooth erosions and conditions like gingivitis. A healthy smile is a beautiful smile. With twice-yearly dental cleanings and brushing and flossing at home, you will be well on your way towards achieving a healthy smile for life.