Are Teeth Cleanings Really That Important?
Skipping out on routine teeth cleanings is tempting but not in your best interest, according to our Jackson, MI, dentists. You need to put your oral health first which translates into daily at-home care and twice yearly dental checkups.
Here’s why a is so beneficial for the current and long-term health of your smile.
Recommended Teeth Cleaning Frequency
Most dentists, including ours, agree that you should have your teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months, or twice a year. This accepted standard allows our dentists and our dental hygienists to keep tabs on the health of your teeth and gums. In other words, we’re there to catch potential problems early before they develop further.
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Now, if you have a history of gum disease or a recent dental issue was found at your last appointment, you may need to visit our Jacksonville dental office more frequently. Every patient is different and our staff can advise you on your teeth cleaning timeline should you deviate from the standard.
Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth on your own is beneficial but does not effectively remove all plaque, tartar, and bacteria buildup. If you want to and cavity formation, specialized dental tools, a trained hygienist, and regular cleanings are all required.
Key Stages of a Teeth Cleaning
Teeth cleanings, no matter where you go, are comprised of 4 main stages. Each component of the cleaning process is painless and relatively quick. The tools used will make various sounds that may sound intimidating but there is nothing to worry about as you are in good hands.
You can also expect to see one of our dentists at the end of your cleaning. We’ll meet with you to look over the work performed by our hygienists, answer any questions you may have, and address arising issues.
Most teeth cleanings involve:
- A Thorough Oral Exam
- Plaque and Tartar Removal
- Teeth Polishing
- Expert Flossing
1. A Thorough Oral Exam
Every teeth cleaning will begin with an oral examination of your entire mouth. Our hygienists will visually check your teeth and gums for or other potential concerns. During this stage, an oral cancer screening for suspicious lumps or bumps may also occur.
2. Plaque and Tartar Removal
Next, our hygienists will use a small tool called a scaler to carefully remove plaque and hardened tartar from around the gum line and in between your teeth. Scraping is normal while this is being done and the more tartar that exists, the more scraping you’ll hear. Let this be a motivation to clean very well at home!
3. Teeth Polishing
With tartar gone, our hygienists will move onto the third cleaning stage: polishing. A high-powered electric brush coated in gritty toothpaste is used to deep clean and remove anything left behind. The gritty consistency helps to gently scrub your teeth and is safe when used responsibly by a professional.
4. Expert Flossing
The final stage of a teeth cleaning consists of a flossing session. Our hygienists will expertly floss between your teeth and identify potential bleeding spots as they move throughout your mouth. Any plaque or toothpaste left over is removed at this time.
Why Cleanings Matter for Your Smile
Prevention is a big part of what we do here at The Dental Experience. We want all of our patients to enjoy healthy teeth and gums for life and regular cleanings directly play into that. In short, teeth cleanings rid your mouth of cavity causing plaque, prevent costly dental problems from arising, and protect you from tooth loss.
Pencil In Time for Your Teeth Cleaning
Going to have your teeth cleaned isn’t the most fun, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Our dentists in Jackson, MI, would love to see you at least twice a year to make sure all is well with your oral health and possible problems are addressed. Call The Dental Experience today at (517) 787-5367 to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.