The importance of regular cleanings

Professional dental cleaning and brushing your teeth are not exactly the same things. Although brushing your teeth twice a day (one of them is before bedtime) will clean most plague that contributes to tooth decay and gum disease, overall dental care requires more than just brushing. Regular dental visits are necessary as it gives the dentist the chance to monitor everything inside the mouth including gum, tongue, palate, the inside of your cheeks, and of course your teeth.  Regular dental cleanings help the dentist recognize early signs of disease and treat them accordingly before they get worse.

The general consensus is that you need to visit a dentist regularly at least once every 3 to 6 months. Your dentist, in accordance to the suggestion from American Dental Association (ADA), may determine different intervals depending on your dental health condition. Based on a current examination of your oral health condition, the dentist will suggest a personalized visit interval to treat your condition accordingly.

Regular dental cleaning has two main purposes: it treats early signs of dental problems and prevents potential risks of diseases. During a regular visit to the dentist you will receive the following treatments:

1.      Pre-Examination

Before the actual oral examination and dental cleaning begin, a dentist will check for anything out of the ordinary in head and neck area including face, lower jaw joints, and lymph nodes. Many indications of oral diseases may appear in the aforementioned areas. In case a problem exists, pre-examination helps a dentist to determine proper treatment before performing further procedures.

2.      Dental Examination

During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will:

• Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
• Evaluate your risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease
• Evaluate your need for tooth restoration or tooth replacement
• Check your bite and jaw for problems
• Remove any stains or deposits on your teeth
• Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for your teeth or dentures
• Assess your need for fluoride
• Take dental X-rays or, if necessary, do other diagnostic procedures

The dentist or hygienist will also ask about any health problems you have or medications you're taking and discuss how they might affect your oral health. If you have diabetes, for example, you're at increased risk of gum disease. If arthritis interferes with your ability to effectively brush your teeth, your dentist or hygienist might show you how to insert the handle of your toothbrush into a rubber ball for easier use — or recommend a powered or electric toothbrush.

3.      Dental Cleaning

Once the examinations have been performed, the actual cleaning can start. The hygienist will help remove plague and tartar, floss between your teeth, polish the teeth, and clean the gums too. At the end of the routines, the dentist will review any dental appliances you have/use and make recommendations concerning your dental hygiene. All in all, regular dental cleanings are not merely about cleaning the teeth from plague and tartar but also oral disease prevention and treatments.