How to maintain optimal oral health?
- Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Use the proper brushing techniques based on your dental hygienist’s recommendation.
- Drink fluoridated water to minimize the risk of bacterial decay.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day to reduce and remove dental plaque.
- Rinse your mouth using a fluoride antibacterial mouthwash once a day.
- Don’t use tobacco products of any kind. If you’re a smoker, quit smoking.
- Reduce your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Reduce your consumption of sweets and candies.
- Control diabetes to reduce the risk of gum inflammation and periodontitis.
- If you take medications that cause dry mouth, ask your doctor if they can be replaced.
- Go for regular dental cleanings once every six months, based on your dentist’s recommendation.
What is professional teeth cleaning?
Professional teeth cleaning is an in-office preventative dental procedure. During a dentist teeth cleaning, the dental hygienist or dentist removes all the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums, ensures you have optimal oral health, and looks for signs and symptoms of gum disease or dental decay. Professional teeth cleanings are important because they inform the dentist of possible warning signs of dental problems. Furthermore, they’re an essential component of oral hygiene, helping you maintain optimal oral health at all times.
Why are professional teeth cleanings necessary?
Regardless of how well you brush and floss your teeth, you can’t remove all the tiniest food particles stuck in your teeth and mouth. These food particles eventually lead to a whitish film on teeth, known as plaque. Over time, plaque interacts with bacteria and saliva to become a hard yellow substance known as tartar, which can’t be removed with brushing and flossing. The bacteria in plaque and tartar gradually corrode the surface of your teeth, i.e., the enamel, leading to gum inflammations and cavities.
Professional teeth cleanings are necessary to identify and remove the accumulated plaque and tartar. Some people only need one professional teeth cleaning a year, whereas others need two or even more, depending on underlying health factors. If you don’t go for regular teeth cleanings, the plaque and tartar will continue accumulating, leading to gum disease and severe dental cavities, eventually necessitating root canals and other more invasive procedures. Professional teeth cleaning helps you avoid dental diseases.
What’s the difference between a dental cleaning and periodontal deep cleaning?
People often confuse professional teeth cleaning with dental deep cleaning, also known as periodontal deep cleaning. However, the two are completely different. Professional dental cleaning is a preventative procedure that helps avoid dental problems, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental cavities. Periodontal deep cleaning, however, is a medically necessary procedure that helps you recover from periodontitis or gingivitis.
During a periodontal deep cleaning, the dentist removes all the plaque and tartar from your teeth and periodontal pockets, i.e., the pockets of space between your gums and teeth. After removing the plaque and tartar, the dentist smoothens the surface of your teeth roots, which encourages optional healing. Over time, the receded gum tissues heal and tighten around your teeth again.
How often should I visit the dentist to have my teeth cleaned?
Generally speaking, most patients are advised to seek at least two dentist teeth cleanings per year, i.e., once every six months. That’s based on the average time it takes for you to develop plaque and tartar in your teeth and gums. Of course, based on your oral hygiene, diet, and underlying health factors, you may develop a large volume of plaque and tartar earlier or later. Some patients only need one dental cleaning per year, whereas others may also need three or more per year. Your dentist will recommend the ideal teeth cleaning frequency.
What does dental cleaning involve during treatment?
- The dental hygienist examines your teeth to identify the signs and symptoms of gum disease or dental cavities. If they identify dental decay, they inform the dentist.
- If there are no signs of gum disease or cavities, your teeth cleaning can begin.
- Professional teeth cleaning starts with dental scaling. The dental hygienist uses a scalar to scrape off plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line.
- After dental scaling, the dental hygienist brushes and flosses your teeth.
- You have to rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash.
- The dentist places fluoride gel on your teeth to minimize the risk of bacterial decay.
Does regular dental cleaning improve dental health?
Yes, regular dental cleaning significantly improves dental health. It ensures that your teeth and gums are always healthy, minimizing the risk of inflammation and infection caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar. Patients seeking regular dental cleanings can avoid severe dental problems.
How well does teeth whitening done by the dentist work?
Professional teeth whitening done by the dentist works brilliantly. During in-office teeth whitening, the dentist applies a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution to your teeth. This is a bleaching agent that removes months of accumulated stains from the pores of your enamel. The hydrogen peroxide is further catalyzed with a special chairside lamp, making it work faster. You can achieve up to eight times whiter teeth by the end of the session.
Where can I find a dentist for teeth cleaning near me?
URBN Dental is one of the most advanced, state-of-the-art dental clinics specializing in professional teeth cleanings in Houston, TX. Our dentists carefully examine your teeth, diagnose and treat the earliest signs of dental problems, and help you maintain optimal oral health for a lifetime. You can find our dental clinic in Uptown Houston, TX. Please schedule an appointment for your dentist teeth cleaning today.