One of the best ways to take care of your mouth’s health is by heading to a dentist for a routine teeth cleaning. Dental cleanings don’t just help polish and brighten your smile, they can also have a positive impact on your overall health.
Today, we’ll give you an overview of the benefits of routine teeth cleanings, what to expect, and how to take care of your teeth between cleanings.
Benefits of Routine Teeth Cleanings
Dental cleanings are a key part of your tooth and gum health. Plus, practicing good dental hygiene can impact your body’s overall wellness. Here are a few benefits of routine teeth cleanings:
- Helps prevent tooth decay and gum irritation: Teeth cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that can eventually lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum inflammation or infection.
- Helps prevent oral diseases: During a visit, a dentist will take a look at your teeth and can spot any early signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, certain types of oral cancers, and more. If they see any symptoms of these diseases, they’ll discuss treatment options with you.
- Brightens teeth: During a visit to the dentist, a hygienist performs an in-depth cleaning of your teeth. These cleanings help smooth and polish your teeth while removing surface-level stains from coffee, tea, and other substances.
- Reduces bad breath: The deep cleaning provided during a teeth cleaning can remove the plaque and tartar that can contribute to bad breath.
- Saves money: Routine teeth cleanings are the best way to avoid costly dental procedures down the road. Taking a proactive approach to the health of your teeth can save you thousands of dollars in dental bills.
- Improves overall health: Studies have shown that your oral health has a direct effect on your overall health. The mouth is one of your body’s first lines of defense against infection and digestive problems. Keeping your mouth healthy through routine dental cleanings is an important part of your general wellness, and can even reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and more.
What to Expect at a Routine Teeth Cleaning
A routine teeth cleaning will likely begin with a hygienist deep cleaning your teeth. During this process, they’ll use instruments called scalers to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and a soft rubber cap to polish your teeth. This process can take between ten to thirty minutes, or even longer, depending on the health of your teeth. From there, your hygienist will floss and discuss fluoride treatment options with you. Depending on factors like your teeth’s health and your patient status, you may have x-rays done so that your healthcare team can take a closer look at things.
You’ll also see a dentist who will evaluate your overall oral health. If they find any potential problems like cavities during your evaluation, they’ll discuss their treatment recommendations with you.
Keeping Your Teeth Clean Between Cleanings
The American Dental Association recommends scheduling dental cleanings twice a year to keep your teeth in tip-top shape. These timelines could change based on your personal oral health, so be sure to check with your dentist to see how often you should make appointments.
However, oral health care doesn’t stop at routine dental cleanings. There are several ways to improve teeth health between visits.
- Brush and floss regularly: Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a great way to proactively care for your pearly whites. Flossing once daily can also help remove any leftover food particles stuck in or around your teeth, as well as reduce plaque.
- Consider mouthwash: Using mouthwash after brushing your teeth has a few key benefits: it cleanses spots in your mouth that your toothbrush doesn’t reach and it remineralizes your teeth. Some mouthwashes offer additional benefits, like whitening your teeth or advanced breath freshening.
- Drink water: Drinking water helps hydrate your mouth and washes away leftover food particles, sugars, and acids.
- Limit sugary drinks and sweets: As delicious as sugary sweets are, they can harm your teeth if not consumed properly or in moderation. There are ways to enjoy these treats in a safer way, like using a straw when drinking sugary beverages or brushing your teeth right after eating sugary foods.
- Replace your toothbrush regularly: Like most things, toothbrushes have a lifespan. The longer you use them, the less effective they become. We recommend replacing your toothbrush every few months. If you’ve recently been sick, you’ll also need to replace your toothbrush, as germs may be left on the bristles.
We Offer Routine Teeth Cleanings
At Community Access Network, we believe in caring for the whole person, including dental care. If you’re looking for routine teeth cleanings, we can help. Our services include adult dental hygiene, dental pain, basic extractions, dental consultations, and more.
Please note that our dental services are only available to established patients. Learn more about becoming a patient of Community Access Network and receiving dental care from one of our providers here.