Regular dental cleanings are imperative for maintaining good oral health throughout your life. Even though it is recommended to brush your teeth and floss daily, professional teeth cleaning is key to preventing tooth decay, gingivitis, and other serious oral health issues. Understanding the many benefits of regular dental cleanings shows why they are so important for your long-term oral health.
What are Dental Cleanings?
Dental cleanings, also known as dental prophylaxis, is a process where a dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup from above and below the gum line. Dental cleaning helps to prevent problems like tooth decay and gum disease, which usually begin because of plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth. Plaque is a layer of bacteria that develops on your teeth daily, and when it is not cleaned it hardens into tartar, which is unable to be removed with brushing alone. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional using the right tools. If this buildup is left on the teeth, it can lead to cavities and inflammation of the gums, and if this isn’t treated it can lead to even more serious issues like periodontitis.
What is the Importance of Dental Cleanings?
Dental cleanings are important to make sure that plaque and tartar are being removed so there isn’t any build up left behind. This reduces the risk of decay and gum disease in the mouth. Dental cleanings are also important for early detection of any issues in the mouth that would otherwise go unnoticed. It allows the dentist to spot problems early, which may help save your teeth, reduce the need for additional procedures, and save you time and money.
What is the Process of a Dental Cleaning?
A dental cleaning will usually begin with a physical examination of the mouth. The dentist will use a small mirror to check for signs of tooth decay, inflamed gums, or any other concerns. If there are no major concerns found, they will move on to using a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from around the gum line and between the teeth. When this has been completed, they will use an electric toothbrush and toothpaste to thoroughly clean and polish the teeth, and they will finish the procedure off by flossing and rinsing the remaining debris.
How Often Should You Get Dental Cleanings?
It is recommended by most dentists to get dental cleanings about every six months. This can vary depending on the individual’s oral health needs or dental issues, like gum disease or excess tartar build up. The time between cleanings may vary if you wear braces or have other dental appliances like clear aligners. This can lead to you needing more frequent cleanings. Speak with your Kingwood dentist for the ideal teeth cleaning schedule for you.
What are the Benefits of a Dental Cleaning?
Outside of the obvious health benefits you get from regular dental cleanings, there are aesthetic benefits you get as well. When you drink things like coffee, tea, or red wine over time it can cause discoloration or staining of the teeth. Regular cleanings can help reduce these stains and leave your smile looking whiter, helping to boost your confidence. Regular cleanings also have the added benefit of freshening your breath. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria that cause bad breath, so professional teeth cleaning removes the odor-causing bacteria.
Regular dental cleanings also have financial benefits. By routinely getting your teeth cleaned it prevents minor dental problems from escalating into more serious and costly issues. For example, treating a cavity early on is significantly less expensive than getting a root canal or a tooth extracted.
What is the Difference between a Deep Dental Cleaning and a Regular Teeth Cleaning?
The difference between a regular teeth cleaning and a deep scale cleaning is that regular cleanings focus on plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth removes plaque and tartar just below the gumline. For patients with tartar deeper below the gumline, they will likely experience sore, inflamed or bleeding gums. This means that gum disease is a risk, and it requires the dental professional to do a deep scale cleaning which removes tartar and debris deeper beneath the gumline. While regular cleanings typically happen every six months or so, those with signs of gingivitis may need to see their dentist more frequently.
Schedule a Dental Cleaning with Your Kingwood Dentist Today
Maintaining healthy and clean teeth is more significant than just having a pleasant smile. Dental cleanings are a vital aspect of preventative oral health care that offers benefits that go beyond just clean teeth. Regular cleanings help people keep their natural teeth and maintain great oral health throughout their lives. Schedule an appointment with a reputable Kingwood dentist today to get a thorough teeth cleaning and smile even bigger knowing your oral health is in good shape.
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