Why Are Dental Cleanings Important?
Dental hygiene is the essential preventative measure in keeping your teeth and gums healthy, minimizing harmful bacteria and exposure to infection and disease. Dental cleanings are one way in helping not only to keeping your oral hygiene under control, but also helpful in monitoring the status of your oral health. During a dental cleaning, hardened plaque and tartar are removed that standard brushing and flossing cannot do, as dentists used specialized tools to achieve this level of cleaning.
How Frequently Should I Have Dental Cleanings?
The frequency of dental cleanings depends on your oral hygiene habits, including:
- How often you brush and floss
- If you use fluoride-free dental products
- Number of cavities or toothaches
- Dry mouth and other oral complications, etc.
If you don't practice good dental hygiene habits, your need for dental cleanings increases. With proper dental maintenance, the average person needs a dental cleaning once every six months.
What Happens If I Miss Dental Cleanings?
When you don't have routine dental cleanings done, a variety of problems can go undetected or left to worsen for months or years, including:
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Bad breath, and more
Dental cleanings are more than simply appointments to keep your teeth clean as they also help to protect your overall health. Our teeth can impact other areas of our body, and dentists are able to detect oral cancer during these appointments.
What Should I Expect During a Dental Cleaning?
There are two types of dental cleaning appointments: Routine Cleaning and Deep Cleaning. The average dental cleaning appointment starts with an examination of the teeth and gums to check for any sites of inflammation that could indicate gum disease or patches of decay that might require additional work. From there, your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar, polish your teeth, and thoroughly floss between each tooth. Some patients may receive a fluoride treatment. Deep cleanings often require more than one visit, as they involve removing pockets of tartar and plaque through scaling and root planning.
Contact Our Dentist in Mentor, OH To Schedule a Dental Cleaning!
Mentor Smiles provides dental cleanings and more dental services to those in Concord Township, OH, and the surrounding areas. From x-rays to oral surgery, our team strives to give you the smile makeover you want and need to stay happy and healthy. To learn more, contact us for any additional questions!
