What Are the Purposes of Dental Cleaning?
You may wonder why it’s necessary to have a dentist clean your teeth in the first place. After all, you brush your teeth twice daily and avoid sugary foods. Even with affordable dental care in Glendale, why visit the dentist?
The answer is that dental cleaning takes care of the things that regular brushing and flossing don’t do. There aren’t primary purposes for having a thorough dental cleaning.
Removal of Plaque
Plaque is almost like a living thing. The bacteria found in plaque grow in number and change the acidity of our mouths. As the pH drops, your enamel will likely be damaged, exposing the inner part of your teeth. The next thing that happens is a cavity, which can be painful and may even lead to tooth loss.
A thorough dental cleaning will remove plaque from your teeth, restore a healthy environment for the enamel, and protect the sensitive interior of your teeth.
Inspection of Teeth
The other significant benefit of regular dental cleaning is that it allows your dentist to examine your teeth very closely. Even the most conscientious brushing and flossing will never give you the view of your teeth that your dentist and hygienist get with their bright clinic lights and handheld mirror.
What might they see during a preventive dentistry appointment? Several things are on this list. The most obvious is damage to your teeth, such as chips or cracks. The dental cleaning may also reveal loose teeth, problems with old work like fillings and bridges, or early signs of cavities.
The exam isn’t just beneficial to your teeth. Your dentist and hygienist are trained to recognize warning signs of conditions like oral cancer. Early detection can mean the difference in rapid treatment that protects your overall health.
What Does a Dental Cleaning Involve?
Most people know that a dental cleaning involves a hygienist or dentist going through the mouth and picking at teeth, then buffing the surfaces with what seems to be a special toothpaste. That’s pretty cloThat’s what’s going on; whatever’s more to me, there’s value of plaque?
First, the cleaning is done with a scaler, the familiar hooked tool that spends much time in your mouth. The hygienist uses the scaler to break away plaque buildup on your teeth. This removes all those bacteria from your mouth, restoring a healthy pH balance that does not support the erosion of the enamel and, from there, the development of cavities.
The hygienist will work on every surface of every tooth, starting at the gum line and going between teeth on both the inside and the outside. This will include the teeth at the back of your mouth, which are often the most neglected at brushing and flossing time.
Polishing and Buffing
After removing all the plaque, the hygienist will buff and polish your teeth next. This may seem like an excellent cosmetic step, but it’s more than that. Plaque buildup begins when bacteria manage to gain traction on your teeth. Like a person walking on an icy sidewalk, these bacteria need a rougher spot to take hold. The bacteria are less likely to hang on if the tooth is too slick, resulting in a slower plaque buildup.
That’s the purpose of polishing. It helps to smooth the surface of your teeth so that those troublesome bacteria can’t dig in and can’t start building a new layer of plaque immediately after you’ve had you cleared away. You’ll probably notice the slicker feel of our teeth after they’ve been politely ‘vend, and the bacteria will notice, too!
So, How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
Years of research and the input of many dentists have established that every six months is an excellent standard guideline for the interval between cleanings. This is frequent enough to be beneficial but not so frequent as to waste your time. Every six months is a general rule, but every rule has exceptions. Some patients have exceptional circumstances that make it beneficial to have cleanings done more frequently. How do you know if you’re in one of those different situations that make it worthwhile to get a dental preventive cleaning in Glendale, AZ, more regularly than every six months? Here are several common reasons. Your dentist may suggest others.
- Thin enamel
- You may have a genetic tendency toward thinner enamel, which makes it beneficial to have more frequent dental cleanings.
- Medications for dry mouth or the condition itself
- Lower saliva production in your mouth supports faster development of problems that dental cleaning can prevent.
- Heart conditions
- Your cardiologist may have told you that cavities significantly threaten your heart health. If this is true, get more frequent cleanings.
- Advance gum disease
- If you wait too long to get a dental cleaning, severe gingivitis can cause pain. To reduce this risk, make more frequent visits.
- Blood clotting disorders or use of blood thinner
- Gums are very tender and can bleed easily during a dental cleaning. Having teeth cleaned more frequently reduces the risk.
- Braces
- Because of the difficulty in cleaning around braces, it may be best to get a dental cleaning more frequently so that plaque buildup is thinner.
- Chronic health conditions
- Talk to your dentist and physician about your conditions and what they may mean for your dental cleaning schedule.
- A diet high in sugar and carbohydrates
- The more carbs you consume, the greater the risk to your teeth. If you’re eating problematic foods, you may need your teeth cleaned more frequently.
Schedule a Cleaning Today!
If you doubt your oral health, contact a family dentist in Glendale, AZ, to get started. Beyond Dental Care welcomes patients with disabilities. We would happily provide accommodation if you need dental preventive cleaning in Glendale, AZ. Please contact us at 623-267-8088 to let us know how we can assist. An Arizona-licensed general dentist offers services.
Regular dental cleanings are essential to keeping your smile healthy and beautiful. Don’t wait—schedule your appointment today!