Your regular cleanings are an incredibly important part of your preventative dental care routine and are essential for helping you to maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you are already a patient here at Larson Creek Dental then you will know that our dentist, Dr. Brent Hale is a firm believer in preventative dentistry. He thoroughly recommends regular cleanings and our hygiene team are highly trained and experienced.
A professional dental cleaning at least twice a year can improve your oral health, reports the American Dental Association.
The Academy of General Dentistry, an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education, strongly recommends that a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. This professional dental cleaning reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives the dentist an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention.
People who regularly practice good oral hygiene at home with proper brushing and flossing techniques typically do not experience discomfort during a cleaning. However, those who have neglected their oral hygiene habits may experience some discomfort or sensitivity during a dental cleaning. The dentist can use a topical anesthetic before the cleaning to alleviate any discomfort.
Why Is It Important to Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
Ideally, if you have a good daily oral hygiene routine then you will brush your teeth at least twice a day and will floss once-a-day. This helps to remove most of the plaque buildup from your teeth and gums. However, even people with an excellent oral hygiene routine will often miss out certain areas of their mouth. When this happens, plaque can soon harden into tartar or calculus. This is an extremely hard substance that you won’t be able to remove with a toothbrush or with dental floss. Instead, it must be gently scraped or scaled from your teeth during your professional dental cleaning. It’s important to regularly remove calculus because it consists of plaque bacteria. These bacteria produce toxins that infect and inflame your gums and in time, can cause gum disease.
Gum disease is unfortunately extremely common, and lots of people will develop some form of this disease during their lifetime, possibly without even knowing it. During its initial stages, called gingivitis, gum disease causes your gums to become red and inflamed and they will most likely bleed slightly whenever you brush or floss. When left untreated, gum disease will progress into periodontitis which is much more serious. Periodontitis destroys gums and other vital structures surrounding your teeth and which hold them in place, including ligaments and bone. Eventually, teeth will loosen, and periodontitis is a major cause of tooth loss. What is perhaps equally as bad or even worse is the potential effect on your general health.
What Will Happen During a Dental Cleaning?
During a dental cleaning, you’ll receive diagnostic and preventive services from your dentist as well as any needed educational information.
Diagnostic services may include:
- Reviewing and updating medical history, including information about heart problems, pregnancy, diabetes and medications, which may have an impact on your oral health
- Oral cancer examination and screening
- Evaluation of gum tissue
- Checking biting, chewing and swallowing patterns
- X-rays or examination of teeth to detect decay
- Referral to specialists for specific treatment
Preventive services may include:
- Removal of plaque and tartar
- Stain removal
- Fluoride application
- Sealants (for children)
- Polishing teeth, including fillings and crowns
- Cleaning and adjustment of dentures and partial dentures
Educational services may include:
- Tooth brushing and flossing instructions
- Nutritional counseling
- Recommendations for future treatment: when to return for follow-up hygiene treatment, periodontal (gum) concerns or restorative options
- Evaluation of self-care effectiveness
- Tobacco-cessation counseling