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#The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings
Your oral health is just as important as your overall physical health. In fact, poor oral hygiene can lead to various health problems. That's why it's crucial to maintain a good oral hygiene routine that includes regular **dental cleanings**. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of professional dental cleanings and why they are an essential part of protecting your oral and overall health.
##What is a Dental Cleaning?
A **dental cleaning** is a routine preventive procedure performed by a dentist or dental hygienist to remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria, food debris, and saliva that continuously forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed regularly through brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, it can harden into tartar over time.
Tartar is more difficult to remove than plaque and provides an environment for bacteria to thrive, potentially leading to cavities and gum disease. A dental cleaning removes these deposits from above and below the gumline that you can’t remove yourself with daily oral hygiene.
##The Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings
There are many important benefits associated with undergoing regular dental cleanings every six months:
- Prevent cavities and tooth decay: Plaque buildup can lead to cavities, which are holes in your teeth caused by decay. If left untreated, cavities can grow larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth, causing severe tooth pain, tooth loss, and potentially requiring root canals or dental crowns. Regular dental cleanings every 6 months help prevent cavities by removing disease-causing plaque before it leads to decay.
- Prevent and treat gum disease: Plaque left along and below the gumline causes inflammation known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, the more severe form of gum disease. This leads to chronic infection and tooth loss. A professional dental cleaning removes plaque in those difficult-to-reach areas to prevent the onset and progression of gum disease.
- Freshen breath: Bacteria from plaque buildup can cause chronic bad breath, or halitosis. A dental cleaning removes odor-causing bacteria to help improve breath.
- Maintain your smile: Plaque and tartar removal during a dental cleaning smooths tooth surfaces and prevents stained and yellowed teeth caused by plaque buildup. Your smile will look cleaner and brighter after a professional cleaning.
- Detect problems early: During your cleaning appointment, your dentist will do a thorough examination looking for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other issues. Early detection and treatment can prevent more extensive and expensive dental work in the future.
##What to Expect During a Cleaning
**Dental cleanings** are quick, noninvasive procedures. Here is what you can expect when you go in for your routine cleaning:
- The dental hygienist will review your medical history, take your blood pressure, and inspect your teeth, gums, tongue, palate, and interior mouth for any abnormalities.
- They will use specialized tools to scrape and polish teeth above and below the gumline to remove all plaque, tartar, and surface stains. This involves an ultrasonic tool to loosen deposits, hand tools called scalers to manually remove them, and a polishing cup with an abrasive paste to smooth and shine teeth.
- If needed, they will perform periodontal charting. This involves measuring and recording the pocket depth of spaces between your gums and teeth to check for periodontal disease. Deeper pockets indicate gum recession.
- The dentist will perform an oral cancer screening, feeling for any abnormal lumps or growths.
- At the end of the appointment, they will apply fluoride varnish or gel to help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent mineral loss.
- The dentist will check your cleaning work and do a final teeth examination before discussing at-home care and scheduling your next visit. Cleanings take 30-60 minutes depending on your oral health status.
##Take Good Care of Your Teeth Between Cleanings
While professional cleanings are crucial for maintaining good oral health, don’t neglect your at-home oral hygiene routine between visits. Here are some tips for caring for your teeth between dental cleanings:
- Brush your teeth twice a day (morning and night) for two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Take your time to gently brush along the gumlines.
- Floss daily to remove plaque from tight spaces between teeth that brushing misses.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash to target bacteria that cause plaque buildup, bad breath, and gum disease.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks that “feed” the plaque bacteria and cause acid attacks.
- Drink water throughout the day to neutralize acids and rinse away food particles.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow, which washes away acids and replenishes minerals.
##Don't Skip Your Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings and exams every 6 months are essential for protecting your oral health and preventing problems. Poor oral hygiene tremendously impacts your overall health and quality of life. Make dental cleanings a priority and be sure to keep all your appointments. If you're overdue for a visit, contact your dentist today to schedule your next cleaning.
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