Regular dental cleaning maintains or improves your oral health. For example, dentists include routine deep cleaning in long-term treatment plans for patients who live with gum disease. Dental cleaning is also important for smokers who have otherwise healthy teeth. As part of ongoing care from a general dentist, regular cleanings can help catch problems early and keep your mouth healthier over time. This piece goes over the routine for dental cleaning.
Dental practices prefer to offer first-line treatment rather than complex dental procedures. This requires a patient to have a fairly healthy mouth. Complex dental procedures only come into play for patients with severe dental issues. Dentists prefer that their patients never get to this point.
The main part of first-line dental care is preventative, which is where deep cleaning the teeth comes in. Here is what typically happens during a routine dental cleaning visit:
Visual exam: The dentist begins with a visual exam, often using a mirror to check the teeth and gums for obvious concerns.
X-rays if needed: Depending on your needs, X-rays may be taken to look for cavities, bone loss, or other issues that are not visible during a basic exam.
Screening for abnormalities: The visit may also include a check of the mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues for lesions, lumps, swelling, or other abnormalities.
Identifying dental problems: If small issues are found, the dentist may address them or recommend follow-up treatment for larger concerns.
Removing plaque and tartar: The cleaning itself involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and along the gumline.
Polishing and flossing: After buildup is removed, the teeth are typically polished and flossed to help leave the mouth feeling cleaner and smoother.
Fluoride or sealants if appropriate: In some cases, topical fluoride or sealants may be recommended as part of preventive care.
Routine cleanings are often just one part of preventive care. Depending on what your dentist sees during your visit, you may also benefit from a dental checkup, preventative dental care, or a review of your oral hygiene basics at home.
How often an individual gets dental cleaning depends on their unique needs. Here are a few factors that determine how often a person should get a dental cleaning.
The American Dental Association (ADA) does not suggest a single schedule that fits everyone. Instead, the recommended frequency of dental cleanings depends on each patient’s oral health, home care habits, cavity risk, gum health, and medical history. In practice, some patients can go longer between visits, while others benefit from more frequent preventive care.
Some people are good at caring for their mouth, and dentists can tell when performing a dental exam. A non-smoker who has fastidious oral hygiene is unlikely to suffer from the formation of tartar, especially if they stick to a healthy diet free of refined carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol, and foods that cause staining. Such people typically only need annual deep cleaning.
Smokers should get their teeth cleaned once every six months and so should people who brush less than twice a day. Anyone with a sweet tooth needs regular dental exams to keep cavities at bay, and so does a person who lacks a steady supply of fluoride in their water or diet.
Teeth cleaning helps treat mild, moderate, or severe gum disease. A dentist will schedule these cleanings as often as their patient needs them.
Diabetes, dry mouth, and the use of certain medications can leave the mouth vulnerable to oral health problems. Regular dental cleaning helps keep these systemic health problems from affecting the oral cavity in a big way.
Even if you are not due for your next routine visit yet, some symptoms can mean it is worth coming in earlier.
These can all be signs that your mouth needs attention.
If you have noticed changes like bleeding gums or feel like your gums are receding, a dental visit can help identify the cause before the problem gets worse.
Our practice operates by the mantra that prevention is better and cheaper than intensive dental procedures. If you agree, get in touch with us to schedule an exam and dental cleaning. Whether you need routine preventive care or are looking for a trusted general dentist in Whittier, our team looks forward to helping you protect your dental health.
Request an appointment here: https://whittierdentaloffice.com or call Bailey Family Dental - Brian Choi, DMD - Whittier, CA at (562) 698-8739 for an appointment in our Whittier office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Cleaning and Examinations in Whittier, CA.
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