The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings
Everyone should clean their teeth at home by regularly flossing and brushing. However, there are spaces in our mouths that are difficult to clean on our own, which is why we all need to have our teeth professionally cleaned every few months by a dental hygienist. As your local dental practice, our job is to keep our patients' oral health in check. We do this by providing our patients with an oral exam and a thorough mouth cleaning. A dental cleaning involves the removal of plaque, polishing, and instruction on proper oral care at home.
What are the different types of dental cleanings?
There are different types of dental cleans. We can do a regular cleaning when patients only have gum disease, and we can do what we call a deep cleaning when patients have periodontal disease. Not only are the gums affected, but the bone is also affected.
Why are dental cleanings important?
Dental cleanings are really important. I want you to think about this: gums and bone are like the foundation of your house, right? We need that foundation healthy in order to maintain your teeth healthily. Dental cleanings maintain your gums and bones healthy. That's why they're so important.
How often should I get a dental cleaning?
Some patients, when we need to do deep cleanings, are placed on a different schedule. For example, every 3 to 4 months, because we need to treat and put those patients in what we call perio maintenance appointments, which are a little bit more frequent—between three to four months. Patients who need just a regular cleaning with only gum disease can be seen once or twice a year.
Are dental cleanings painful?
Dental cleanings are not painful at all. When we need to do a deep cleaning, which is a little deeper, as the name suggests, we use a special type of numbing so you won't feel it.
How long does a dental cleaning take?
A dental cleaning appointment typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour. When you include x-rays and the exam with the doctor, it takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
What happens during a teeth cleaning?
During a teeth cleaning, the hygienist takes some x-rays, then the doctor conducts the exam, and the hygienist performs the cleaning itself. When the calculus is heavy, sometimes we need more than one appointment to remove all the calculus.
Can dental cleanings damage teeth?
Dental cleanings cannot damage the teeth. Yes, they should be done once or twice a year because the enamel, from which you are removing the calculus, can experience slight wear, but the teeth themselves cannot be damaged by dental cleaning.
What if I experience sensitivity after a dental cleaning?
Some patients do report sensitivity after cleanings, but we have a special toothpaste that we recommend to help with that sensitivity.
Tooth Desensitization and Fluoride Treatment
If a taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee is sometimes a painful experience for you, then you most likely suffer from sensitive teeth. Dental sensitivity is very common amongst adults and there are many reasons why teeth become sensitive. Most often, it is due to root exposure. We offer treatment to decrease that sensitivity with minimal to no discomfort by applying a fluoride gel or other desensitizing agent to your teeth. This process is simple and can have long-lasting affects on the strength of your enamel and the transmission of painful sensations to the nerves of your teeth. Usually, tooth sensitivity occurs because of bone loss, vigorous brushing, clenching/grinding of teeth, acid wear on teeth, smoking, periodontal surgery, cancer treatment, and dry mouth.
Fluoride is used to help prevent tooth decay and is usually recommended for children up to 18-years old but is determined by your oral health. Fluoride treatment helps if you have a history of tooth decay or sensitivity around your teeth and gums, and also helps by strengthening the enamel on your teeth.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (941) 239-6557 or email info@diamonddentalarts.com. We look forward to caring for your smile.