At Central Davis Dental, we believe that a healthy, beautiful smile starts with regular dental cleanings. Our dedicated team of dental professionals is committed to helping each patient find relief from dental problems and achieve a vibrant smile.
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is essential for proper oral hygiene, but these practices are not enough on their own to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. In addition to these helpful at-home habits, you also need professional dental cleanings every six months to remove plaque and calculus from your teeth.
The Importance of Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings, also known as prophylaxis, are an absolutely essential aspect of oral health and hygiene. They play a pivotal role in preventing dental problems, enhancing your smile’s appearance, and maintaining your overall health. In addition, examinations during your cleaning visits help to detect potential issues before they have a chance to escalate, causing more significant, complex problems.
There are many reasons why dental cleanings are crucial. Some of the benefits include:
- Plaque and tartar removal: Over time, a sticky film of bacteria known as plaque accumulates on your teeth. If it’s not effectively removed, it can harden into tartar, which contributes to issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. Professional dental cleanings thoroughly remove plaque and tartar, helping prevent these issues.
- Gum disease prevention: If left untreated, this common dental problem, also known as periodontal disease, can lead to tooth loss and systemic health issues. Dental cleanings contribute to gum disease prevention by removing sources of infection and inflammation.
- Brighter, whiter teeth: Professional cleanings remove surface stains and discoloration, leaving your teeth noticeably whiter and brighter and giving you a more confident smile.
- Fresher breath: The removal of plaque and tartar helps eliminate bad breath and leaves you with a fresh, clean feeling.
- Oral cancer screening: As part of your dental cleaning and exam, your dentist will also perform an oral cancer screening. Early cancer detection can be life-saving, adding to the importance of regular appointments.
- Tooth loss prevention: By addressing issues early on and removing the primary causes of cavities, dental cleanings help prevent tooth decay and loss.
- Enhanced overall health: Oral health and overall health are closely connected. Regular dental cleanings reduce the risk of systemic health issues like heart disease and diabetes, contributing to your overall well-being.
- Long-term savings: By preventing dental problems through regular cleanings, you can avoid the need for costly treatments in the future.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
A dental cleaning appointment is simple, painless, and typically takes about an hour. It involves polishing, scaling, and flossing the teeth to remove harmful build-up on the teeth. Additionally, cleanings often include a fluoride treatment to strengthen tooth enamel. If necessary, a deep cleaning or a full mouth debridement will be performed to break up large deposits of plaque and calculus.
Here’s what you can expect during your visit:
- Dental examination: Appointments usually begin with a thorough examination by our dental professionals. This helps identify dental issues that may require special attention, including warning signs of oral cancer.
- Plaque and tartar removal: A dental hygienist will use specialized tools to carefully remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, preventing gum disease and cavities.
- Teeth polishing and flossing: After removing plaque and tartar, the hygienist will polish your teeth to remove surface stains, enhancing the appearance of your smile. They will also floss your teeth to make sure there are no food particles or bacteria between them.
- Fluoride treatment: Depending on your individual needs, your dentist may apply fluoride to your teeth to strengthen the enamel and help prevent tooth decay.
- Discussion and education: Our dental professionals will discuss the state of your oral health with you and provide individualized guidance. They may suggest changes to your oral hygiene routine or additional treatments.
Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)
It’s common for large deposits of plaque and calculus to build up near the gumline and into the roots of the teeth. These deposits contain bacteria that irritate and infect the surrounding gums, causing swelling or gingivitis. Without treatment, the bacteria will start eating away at the bone and roots, causing much larger problems down the road.
When the gums have started to pull away from the teeth or the roots have started collecting hard deposits, scaling and root planing can help. The process includes scaling or scraping the teeth and into the roots to remove the plaque and calculus. A local anesthetic is given to help alleviate pain during the procedure, and antibiotics may also be placed in the gums to help with infection.
Your Smile Deserves the Best Care
Your smile is one of your most valuable assets. To protect your smile, our team at Central Davis Dental is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of dental care. With regular dental cleanings by our dental professionals, you can enjoy a dazzling smile while maintaining your overall health. Don’t wait until dental problems arise — schedule your next cleaning appointment today.