The Importance of Regular Dental Cleaning

Regular dental cleaning is a vital part of maintaining good oral health. Having your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis helps you improve and maintain the cleanliness and health of your gums and teeth and prevents certain oral health issues by removing the buildup of bacteria, plaque, and tartar in your mouth. Additionally, having good oral hygiene and health improves your overall physical health as well.

What to expect from a cleaning

There are four steps to a professional dental cleaning:

Jaw and lymph node exam and X-rays

Your dentist will look at your lymph nodes (located on your head and neck) to determine that they are healthy and there are no external abnormalities in your jaw. Your dentist will also take X-rays of your mouth.

Mouth rinse and exam

You will rinse your mouth with mouthwash, and then your dentist will use a special mirror to look at your entire mouth and check for cavities, cracked teeth, broken filings, signs of gum disease and oral cancer, and other oral health issues that can be seen with the naked eye.

Cleaning

Your dentist will use a number of tools to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and in between your teeth. The dentist may also floss your teeth and will likely polish your teeth to help prevent excessive future buildup of plaque and tartar.

Review of results

When the cleaning is complete, your dentist will make recommendations you can use to improve your oral health at home (such as brushing or flossing more often or more thoroughly) and let you know if you have any cavities or other issues that need to be addressed in a separate visit. Then, you can schedule your next appointment for your next cleaning or to treat the issues found during this visit.

Why regular cleaning is important

There are many benefits to having your teeth cleaned by a dentist on regularly, including:

• Detecting problems with your jaw, such as a misaligned bite or TMJ
• Detecting early oral cancer
• Minimizing bad breath
• Preventing gum disease
• Reducing your risk of developing cavities
• Reducing your risk of physical health issues like cardiovascular disease and diabetes

How often do you have your teeth cleaned?

You should have your teeth cleaned by a dentist at least every six months, even if you do not have any oral health issues. Most dental insurance plans will cover the cost of two cleanings per year, so the procedure will not likely cost you anything. However, you may need more specialized cleanings or need to have your teeth cleaned more often than every six months if you have any oral health issues such as gum disease.