This process involves a full examination of your teeth and mouth. Some dentists use different tools at this stage to remove calcifications and plaque.
Dental Cleanings
Oral hygiene is essential for good general health, and routine dental cleanings are a crucial part of maintaining your oral hygiene. These cleanings can eliminate tartar, plaque, biofilm, and other debris trapped in tiny spaces between your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are important, but unfortunately, they’re not enough to remove all the bacteria and debris that accumulate in your mouth over time, which is why dental cleanings are necessary. They’re also essential for maintaining fresh breath and a beautiful smile.
Why Routine Cleanings Are Important
Routine dental cleanings are important for maintaining good oral health. Specifically, they offer the following benefits:
Reduced plaque and bacteria accumulation
A good dental cleaning backed by proper oral hygiene can eliminate plaque and bacteria accumulation, leading to fresher breath and healthier teeth/gums.
Decreased likelihood of dental conditions like gingivitis and periodontal diseases
Poor oral hygiene can cause bacteria and plaque to build up over time. The accumulation of this bacteria can cause a mild form of gum disease called gingivitis. The primary symptoms of gingivitis include swollen, tender, receding, or bleeding gums. When left untreated, this condition can advance to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontal disease. It can also cause tooth loss and other serious issues.
A healthier and brighter smile
Regular dental cleanings help maintain the cleanliness of your teeth. They can improve the brightness and overall appearance of your smile, which greatly impacts your confidence.
Improved general health: The benefits of good oral health extend beyond your mouth. Poor dental health has serious consequences and is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory infections.
How Often You Should Have Routine Cleaning Performed
It’s generally recommended that you should have a dental cleaning performed once every six months. However, since people have differing oral needs, how often you should get your teeth cleaned depends on your unique situation.
Some people hardly experience oral issues, meaning they will need dental cleanings less often. On the other hand, some people may be more prone to dental issues, making frequent routine cleanings a vital part of their wellness. If you’re not sure where you fall, consider visiting your dental hygienist to help you determine the best timeline for your visits.
It’s important to note that in between dental cleanings, you should practice good oral hygiene–brushing twice a day and flossing once daily. You can also use a mouth rinse as often as you prefer.
What a Typical Dental Cleaning Entails
If you’re considering going to the dentist for a cleaning, it helps to know what to expect. This is what a typical dental cleaning process entails:
Your dentist will remove all hardened plaque above and below the gumline, ensuring they clean down to the bottom of the pocket.
This is similar to tooth scaling, except it’s done on the roots of your teeth sitting below your gum line. A scaling tool is used here to chip tartar away from the root.
This process involves both scaling and root planing, eliminating tartar from deep between your teeth and gums. Your hygienist will stop where the gum, root, and bone meet, ensuring that they cover each tooth’s entire length.
A professional will floss your teeth to reach areas you may have missed when flossing at home or were unable to access yourself.
Your hygienist or dentist will polish your teeth using gritty toothpaste to help smoothen rough areas worn out by bacteria accumulation. This process also removes stubborn stains on the teeth and reduces the risk of gingivitis and cavities.
X-rays give dentists a complete picture and are usually paired with fluoride rinses during biannual visits. The antimicrobial agents in the rinses are able to reach the difficult-to-access areas of your teeth, supplementing your oral hygiene routine at home.
Schedule a Cleaning
Visit Grove City Dental
At Grove City Dental, your oral health is our top priority. Our team is equipped with the knowledge, experience, and tools to give you a thorough cleaning and restore your oral health. If you’re looking for a dentist you can trust in Blackfoot, contact us today to schedule an appointment.