DENTAL CLEANINGS

The foundation of oral health is efficient cleansing and care for your mouth and teeth. Doing this includes things like daily brushing and flossing as your dentist suggests, using mouth rinses, and getting routine dental cleanings. The typical person should receive at least two dental cleanings a year, or one every 6 months. Deep dental cleanings are also performed as needed for treatment of conditions such as gum disease. It is very important to create and keep dental cleaning appointments to maintain good oral health.

Routine Dental Cleaning

Routine dental cleanings are done at your normal check ups, and are part of preventative care. A number of individuals are believed to be high risk, and may need 3 or more cleanings a year. Pregnant women have a decreased immune system during pregnancy and are more probable to acquire gingivitis. This could require even more cleanings throughout the pregnancy. Diabetics also have a diminished resistance to infection, causing some to experience gum disease. Individuals who smoke or use tobacco products should also get supplemental cleanings to observe and preserve their oral health.

Deep Dental Cleaning

Different from routine cleanings, deep dental cleanings are not considered preventative care. Deep dental cleanings are carried out as a treatment plan for periodontal and gum disease. It is also a good choice for patients who have not gotten consistent dental care every 6 months. During a basic checkup, the dental hygienist will measure the area between your teeth and gums. These spaces are known as pockets. If the pocket is too big, the hygienist will probably recommend a series of deep dental cleanings.

What To Expect

Routine Dental Cleaning– Brushing and flossing daily is the best way to manage good oral health at home. With your personal dental care routine you can get rid of food and plaque from your teeth. However, tartar build up can only be eliminated at the dentist’s office utilizing dental instruments. Your dental hygienist may use manual or ultrasonic instruments to eliminate the tartar. Once it is eliminated, the hygienist will polish the teeth. Polishing the teeth helps to remove surface discolorations and plaque build up. If there are stains on the teeth, a gritty substance is often used to scrub the discolorations away. Following the dental cleaning, a thorough assessment of the teeth will be performed by the dentist with support from the hygienist.

Deep Dental Cleaning– After you have had your dental check up, it may be recommended for you to have a deep dental cleaning. Deep dental cleaning is also known as root planing and scaling. Root planing requires a scaling tool being used to extract tarter and plaque from the surface area of the roots. The objective of deep cleaning is to remove the bacteria from the pockets of the teeth to reverse the effects of gum and periodontal disease. Certain patients might need more deep cleaning treatments than others to see improvement.

At Home Dental Cleaning

It is vital to maintain your oral health at home in between visits to the dentist. Brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as using mouth rinses, are the most effective way to manage your teeth at home. If you feel you are having trouble keeping your teeth clean, ask your hygienist for a brushing or flossing demonstration. You can hold a mirror to witness the method used to remove plaque from stubborn places like the molars.

Brushing– should be done twice a day, or after every meal when possible. Switch out your toothbrush a minimum of every 3 months.
Flossing– it is suggested to floss a minimum of once a day to get rid of food and plaque from the teeth.
Mouth Rinses– can be used to freshen breath or boost your oral health. Check the manufacturer’s directions to determine how much and how often to use.