Regular dental cleanings are a crucial part of maintaining good oral health. Twice-daily brushing and flossing helps keep teeth clean on a regular basis, but professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that at-home care can’t scrub away. There are other important benefits to regular dental cleanings from your dentist, too. Let’s take a closer look at why dental cleanings are important, and what to expect from a dental cleaning appointment.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
Your dentist performs a number of tasks during a dental cleaning that go beyond your regular at-home care. If you haven’t been to the dentist for a cleaning before, or it’s been a while, here’s what you can expect.
Removing Plaque and Tartar
One of the main purposes of a dental cleaning is to remove plaque and tartar (also known as calculus) that accumulate on the teeth and gumline. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth throughout the day. If it’s not removed, it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed away by a regular toothbrush. Your dentist has special tools that are made to remove tartar.
Polishing Teeth
After removing plaque and tartar, your dentist will polish your teeth to remove surface stains and give them a smooth, clean feel. This polishing also helps to prevent plaque from accumulating as quickly.
Measuring the Gum Sulcus
The gum sulcus is the space between the teeth and gums. Dentists and hygienists measure the depth of this pocket to assess gum health. Deep pockets can indicate early signs of gum disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to more serious oral health issues, including tooth loss.
Taking X-Rays
In many cases, dental cleanings include taking X-rays. These images help dentists to detect cavities, infections, and other underlying dental concerns that are not visible during a regular exam.
Checking for Signs of Oral Cancer
Dental professionals also examine the mouth, tongue, and throat for any unusual signs that could indicate oral cancer. This is especially important for individuals who smoke, vape, or use other tobacco products, as they have a higher risk of developing oral cancer.
Why Are Dental Cleanings So Important?
Routine dental cleanings are about more than just having a bright smile. They provide significant health benefits that impact both oral and overall well-being. Let’s take a closer look at why dental cleanings are so important.
Preventing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Plaque harbors bacteria that produce acids, which break down tooth enamel and lead to cavities. If cavities go undetected and untreated, they can lead to tooth or gum infections, requiring more extensive treatments later on. Plaque and tartar also build up along the gumline can cause gum disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss and other complications.
Detecting Dental Health Issues
Regular cleanings allow dentists to spot cavities, gum disease, and other dental health issues before they become serious. Catching these problems early prevents them from worsening, reducing the need for costly and invasive treatments later on.
Brighter, Healthier-Looking Teeth
Polishing teeth during a cleaning helps remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and more. This makes your teeth look whiter and feel cleaner, improving your oral health and your confidence in your smile.
Reducing the Risk of Oral Cancer
Detecting signs of cancer early is essential for treatment. Since dental professionals check for signs of mouth, tongue, and throat cancer during cleanings, they play a critical role in identifying issues before they become serious.
Supporting Overall Health
Oral health is closely linked to overall health. Poor dental hygiene has been associated with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. By maintaining regular dental cleanings, individuals can help lower their risk of developing these systemic health issues.
Make Dental Cleanings a Priority
When you commit to regular cleanings, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. You can also reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other health concerns. If it’s been more than six months since your last cleaning, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Schedule an appointment online today with a dentist in Las Vegas and the surrounding area, or call 702-388-8888.
