Regular teeth cleanings can help prevent periodontal disease, an inflammation of the gums typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits. As the mouths are full of bacteria, mucus, and other oral particles, plaque can form on the teeth. While maintaining good dental hygiene is essential, having an expert inspecting the teeth can help in numerous ways.
How Does A Teeth Cleaning Work?
A standard tooth cleaning is a routine dental procedure. There are special tools used to remove stains, plaque, and calculus stains from the teeth’s surface above the gum. Indeed, dental cleaning is appropriate not just for primary but also transitional and adult dentition.
Most likely, the appointment will include an exam performed by the dentist and some X-rays. Additionally, a dental hygienist under a dentist’s supervision often conducts the procedure. The process usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
What’s The Importance of Regular Teeth Cleanings?
One of the most crucial things to take care of teeth is regular dental cleanings. Indeed, visiting the dentist regularly is an excellent way to increase self-esteem by ensuring that the pearly whites are bright and shiny, and also a great way to ensure that the entire body is healthy and feeling great.
Nonetheless, here are some additional reasons why teeth cleanings are necessary:
- Prevents gum disease. Regular teeth cleaning can prevent gum disease that can lead to bad breath and sensitive gums, as well as bleeding and receding gums when untreated for too long.
- Minimizes bad breath. Those struggling with bad breath may need to take time to book routine teeth cleaning to help clear up the problem. Regular teeth cleanings prevent bad breath, giving the mouth a fresher taste.
- Early oral cancer detection. The dentist will check the mouth for a potential sign of oral cancer (among other issues) at every teeth cleaning.
- Lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A healthier cardiovascular system and a lower risk of diabetes and other similar illnesses are linked to good oral hygiene. Although surprising, the mouth is the key to good general health.
- Reduces the risk of cavities. Cavities are, indeed, caused by bacteria, and bacterial buildup is more likely when a lot of plaque and tartar is on the teeth. When going into the routine teeth cleaning, the plaque, tartar, and bad bacteria are removed, thus minimizing the chances of getting any cavities in the future!
- Offers an opportunity to check for a bad bite or TMJ. Dental cleaning appointments are a good time to check in and ensure everything looks healthy and functional. Thus, if you have any problems with your jaw, your dentist will be sure to notice earlier rather than later and will be able to help you solve the problem more effectively.
What Are The Types Of Cleaning?
Prophylaxis Dental Cleaning
Prophylaxis means to prevent disease, which also means this type of cleaning is used to clean healthy teeth to prevent gum disease or tooth decay. As indicated, prophylaxis cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the teeth’ front, back, and sides using a dental scaler or water stream. Remember that dental patients only need prophylaxis cleaning if they have maintained daily dental hygiene and semi-annual dental appointments.
Deep Cleaning
Other terms for deep cleanings are scaling and root planing Cleaning is used on teeth and gum pockets to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. Typically, deep cleanings for gingivitis are completed in a single dental appointment. On the other hand, deep cleanings for periodontitis may require multiple visits and local anesthetics, depending on the severity.
In addition, the process of scaling involves the removal of tartar and plaque from the surface of the tooth and in the gum pockets, as well as below the gum line that forms due to gum disease. It also removes bacteria and helps reduce gum inflammation. Root planing is smoothing the tooth roots, which allows the gums to reattach to teeth and eliminate gum pockets.
Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning
This is another dental cleaning designed to treat gum disease. Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning sets apart because they are usually performed more often than others. For this reason, if not effectively treated, gum disease will progress and continue to get worse.
Gross Debridement Cleaning
These are the most heavy-duty teeth cleanings designed to remove copious amounts of plaque and tartar. In general, these cases are individuals who struggle to maintain an oral care routine or have not visited the dentist for a significant amount of time. In fact, an electrical tool is already used to loosen tartar during gross debridement cleanings.
How Often Should You Get The Teeth Cleaned?
Regular or deep cleaning might be needed depending on the state of the mouth, as well as everyday oral hygiene and frequent visits to the dentist.
On the other hand, standard cleaning, which is only a minor and very common procedure, should be performed twice a year. In fact, more frequent visits should be advised to those who are:
- smokers
- people with diabetes
- taking medication that causes dry mouth
- under significant stress
- affected by HIV/AIDS or cancer
- experiencing orthodontic issues
- pregnant
- those with a history of gum disease or who take oral contraceptives.
How To Relive Pain After Cleaning?
Those who practice regular oral hygiene at home can complete brushing and flossing, meaning cleaning should cause minimal discomfort. In fact, patients who neglect to take care of their mouths will cause reactions of sensitivity and pain, as advised by the ADA.
If highly sensitive to pain or dental anxiety, an OTC painkiller is suggested before the appointment, or ask for an anesthetic. A few weeks before the appointment, switching to a desensitizing toothpaste or mouth rinse is a good idea. In addition, acidic foods like citrus fruits should be avoided, as well as hot and cold foods that can cause pain directly after cleaning.
The Bottom Line
In reality, neglecting dental care can lead to general health conditions and poor oral health. Access Oral Surgery offers Teeth Cleaning that helps prevent problems down the road by letting them spot early. Ultimately, they can address unique concerns and provides the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry.
