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Everything You Need to Know About Dental Cleanings

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Woman getting her teeth cleaned by Hueytown dentist
Author:
July 8, 2022

How often should you have your teeth cleaned by your dentist in Hueytown? Ideally, it should be once every six months for generally healthy individuals, but if you exhibit signs of gum disease and other oral health problems, your dentist may ask you to visit more frequently.

Dental cleanings play an essential role in your oral health. You’ll significantly lower your risk of gum disease and cavities when you show up during your dental appointments. Learning about the importance of dental cleanings and what they can do for you is crucial to maintaining a healthy mouth.

patient getting dental cleaning from her dentist in hueytown

Interesting Facts About Dental Cleanings

What Is a Dental Cleaning?

Your teeth and gums are just as important as any other body part. When something’s wrong with your oral health, it will negatively impact your overall health and well-being. The goal of the procedure is to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your teeth and under the gum line using special tools and techniques.

When plaque and tartar aren’t removed, you’ll be susceptible to cavity formation, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. Dental cleaning also gives your dentist a chance to assess the overall condition of your teeth and gums. Your dentist will check your mouth for signs of tooth decay, oral cancer, or other health problems.

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

Oral Exam

A dental cleaning is a non-surgical treatment. Ultimately, the objective is to scrape off plaque and hardened calculus on your teeth and below the gumline. It starts with an oral exam using a small concave mirror.

All corners and areas of your teeth and gums are checked for signs of problems. If problems are found, your dentist will check if they need to be treated first before proceeding with the cleaning.

Scraping Away Plaque and Tartar

Your dentist will use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar on your teeth effectively. Hearing a scraping sound while your dentist works on each tooth is normal. The duration varies depending on the amount of plaque and tartar you have.

Obviously, the more tartar you have on your teeth, the longer it will take. You can get rid of plaque when you brush and floss daily, but once it calcifies and turns into tartar, only your dentist can remove it.  

Professional Brushing and Flossing

When all tartar has been removed, your dentist will use a special high-powered brush to clean your teeth. It will be followed by expert flossing to remove debris between your teeth. Flossing also allows your dentist to identify problem areas that bleed easily.

Rinsing

After flossing, your dentist will ask you to rinse your mouth with liquid fluoride.

What Are the Benefits of a Professional Dental Cleaning?

Knowing the importance of dental cleaning will help you understand why you must set aside time to visit your dentist. Most people who skip routine cleanings are usually those who don’t know the value of this procedure. Some of the key benefits of dental cleaning include oral health maintenance, prevention of oral diseases, and early detection and treatment of oral problems and infections.

dentist in hueytown cleaning patient's teeth

Looking for a Dentist in Hueytown?

Dr. Church strives to give you the best possible dental care services to help you achieve optimum oral health! Our team has the skills, knowledge, and experience from top to bottom. We use cutting-edge technology and modern tools to transform your smile and oral health for the better. Contact us today for an appointment.

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