When it comes to maintaining optimal dental health, teeth cleanings are a priority. Many people feel anxious about dental cleaning, and understandably so. Considering the poking, slight jaw discomfort, and strange noises during the procedure, the apprehension is somewhat justified.
However, not all patients experience these. In fact, for most people visiting our dentist at Studio Smiles NYC, the dental cleaning procedure is simple. Visiting our dental hygienist for routine teeth cleanings is essential to maintaining your oral health.
In this post, we will look at how regular teeth cleanings can prevent serious mouth or other oral health issues down the line.
What Is Dental Cleaning and Why Is It Important for Healthy Teeth?
Let’s start with the basics. A dental cleaning is a professional procedure carried out by a dental hygienist or a dentist. The goal is to remove stains, plaque, and tartar from your teeth while polishing them to improve your smile. It’s more than the regular brushing and flossing you do at home, as it involves a deeper cleaning process.
With a dental cleaning treatment, you can maintain healthy teeth and prevent problems such as bad breath, gum infections, and tooth decay.
Just as your car requires regular servicing to keep it running smoothly, your teeth also need regular cleanings to stay healthy and strong. It is indeed an important part of dental hygiene that supports your smile and overall well-being.
How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
Our dentists recommend getting a dental cleaning and polishing every six months after a dental exam. However, some people may need it more often depending on their oral health history, underlying health conditions, or lifestyle habits.
For instance, if you smoke, wear braces, have diabetes, or have a history of mouth or gum disease, our dental hygienist may suggest more regular cleanings. The goal is to be consistent because missing your cleaning schedules can lead to plaque and tartar buildup, and this can cause more serious problems later on. In addition, proper brushing and flossing with fluoride toothpaste are important to your dental health as they keep bacteria away.
What Happens During Professional Teeth Cleanings?
You do not have to feel anxious when meeting our dentist for your dental cleaning appointment at Studio Smiles NYC. The procedure is simple and mostly painless. Here’s what to expect during the procedure:
- The first step is a dental exam. Our dental hygienist will check your mouth for signs of cavities, problems with teeth and gums, tooth decay, or other dental issues.
- Next, our dentist will use special tools to remove the hardened plaque and tartar from your teeth, focusing on the hard-to-reach areas.
- Following this, the dentist will thoroughly clean and floss your teeth to wash off the plaque and tartar, and other debris that have been scraped off your teeth enamel. Polishing of your teeth is also done during this stage.
- In some cases, our dentist may apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your enamel and help to prevent cavities.
As mentioned, the process is painless and very safe for most adults and children. When you are done, you will feel your teeth are squeaky clean.
How Regular Teeth Cleanings Can Prevent Cavities
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. When you do not remove it, it hardens into tartar and starts to attack your enamel. This often leads to cavities or tiny holes in your teeth. Regular dental cleaning and polishing help to remove plaque before it turns into tartar.
It also helps to catch early signs of tooth decay before it turns into painful and expensive problems. Dental cleaning also allows our dental hygienist the chance to apply treatments like fluoride or sealants to further protect your teeth.
Why Removing Plaque and Tartar Buildup is Important to Prevent Gum Disease
One of the main causes of disease of teeth and gums is plaque and tartar buildup, and it just doesn’t start without notice. It often starts with inflammation (gingivitis), which can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
If it is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis, which is a more severe form of gum disease that can damage the tissues and bones holding your teeth in place.
Routine dental cleanings are the most effective way to stop this. Regularly removing plaque and tartar can help you reduce your risk of bacteria, gum disease and keep your mouth and gums healthy.
Can Regular Dental Cleaning Reverse Early Gum Disease?
Yes, teeth cleanings can reverse the disease of teeth and gums in its early stages. If your gum disease is caught early, that is, in the gingivitis stage, the damage can be reversed when you combine regular teeth cleanings with good home care and dental floss.
Our dental hygienist will clean below the gum line, remove buildup, and provide advice on how to care for your teeth and gums at home.
For people with advanced cases, our dentist recommends deeper cleaning procedures, such as scaling and root planing as the best option. However, the great news is that catching it early through regular dental cleaning makes a big difference.
What is the Difference between Plaque and Tartar Build Up?
Plaque is soft and sticky. It forms daily from food, saliva, and bacteria, and if not brushed away, it hardens into tartar. Tartar usually has a yellow or brown color and is harder to remove.
It’s important to mention that the only way to remove tartar is with professional tools by a dentist, and if left untreated, it can lead to the disease of gums and teeth, cavities, and even tooth loss. Therefore, regular dental cleaning can help control both plaque and tartar buildup.
How Dental Cleanings Can Support Your Overall Health
The important thing you must know is that your mouth is the gateway to your body. Bacteria from dental infections can easily enter your bloodstream and contribute to other health problems, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes complications
- Respiratory infections
- Pregnancy issues like premature birth
To keep your mouth clean, reduce the risk of these systemic oral health issues, and also keep your body healthier overall, you need to take regular teeth cleanings seriously.
What are the Signs that you need to Schedule a Dental Cleaning
Are you wondering if you need a dental cleaning soon? Let’s look at some common signs that show you might need to schedule an appointment with our dental hygienist:
- Bad breath that won’t go away.
- Bleeding or swollen gums.
- Tooth sensitivity or pain.
- Yellow or brown buildup on your teeth.
- Gums pulling away from your teeth.
- It’s been more than six months since your last cleaning.
When you notice any of these warning signs of plaque and tartar buildup or early gum disease, it is time to schedule an appointment with the dental hygienist at Studio Smiles NYC.
What are the Types of Dental Cleanings Handled by the Dental Hygienist?
There are various types of dental cleanings recognized by the American Dental Association, and the specific option for you will be determined by your needs.
While there are different types, they all have something in common – the goal is to remove dangerous bacteria and minimize your risk of oral issues. Below are the different types of teeth cleanings that may be recommended for you:
· Prophylaxis
Our dentist often recommends this procedure to prevent dental disease. It is used mostly for people with healthy teeth and it aims to prevent teeth from becoming affected by gum disease or tooth decay.
The Prophylaxis procedure is carried out by using a water stream or a dental scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the sides, front, and back teeth. Most patients would only need this procedure, especially those who maintain daily dental hygiene and are committed to their dental appointments.
· Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning
This is another type of dental cleaning that aims to treat gum disease. It removes extra plaque and tartar from the gum pockets and tooth surface and then smooths out the roots if necessary.
One of the unique things about periodontal maintenance cleaning is that it is carried out more often than other kinds of dental cleanings. The reason for this is simple – gum disease is progressive and if not treated effectively, it will continue to get worse.
· Scaling and Root Planing Cleaning
Also known as deep cleanings, scaling, and root planing cleaning focuses on both the gum pockets and teeth. Our dentists recommend this for the treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis. For gingivitis, you can complete the procedure during one dental appointment.
However, if you are dealing with periodontitis, you may need multiple appointments. Local anesthetics may also be administered based on the severity of the case. Scaling, on the other hand, removes plaque and tartar from the chewing surfaces of your teeth and the gum pockets below the gum line.
In addition to removing bacteria, scaling can also help to reduce gum inflammation. Root planing smoothens out the tooth roots to remove gum pockets and allow the gums to reattach to the teeth.
· Gross Debridement Cleaning
This is regarded as the most heavy-duty dental cleaning by the American Dental Association. It is usually used for cleaning teeth with large amounts of plaque and tartar. Our dentist recommends gross debridement cleaning for people who struggle with basic oral care routines or those who have not visited their dentist for a very long time.
As mentioned, plaque hardens into tartar, and with large amounts of tartar on the teeth, they become extremely hard. This procedure uses an electrical tool to loosen tartar, and once the excess plaque and tartar have been removed, our dentist performs a prophylaxis cleaning to clean the teeth further.
Why You Can’t Remove Tartar at Home
Regular brushing and flossing with fluoride toothpaste are very important, but they can only remove soft plaque and not hardened tartar. Also, you cannot use dental scrapers or an ultrasonic scaler at home because you are not a trained dentist. Doing so is risky and can damage tooth enamel or gums. To reduce your chances of developing tartar, do the following at home:
- Brush twice daily using fluoride toothpaste
- Floss regularly
- Use mouthwash
- Eat a balanced diet and reduce your sugar consumption.
Finally, the American Dental Association recommends visiting a reputable dentist, like the team at Studio Smiles NYC, regularly for professional routine cleanings. The fact is that regular dental cleaning can help you save money in the long run because prevention is cheaper than treatment. Routine dental cleaning is far cheaper than fillings, crowns, root canals, or gum surgery.
Additionally, detecting dental problems early through regular checkups and routine cleanings with our dentist means fewer surprises, less pain, and reduced dental bills. Investing in your oral health is a smart way of investing in your financial health.
How to Maintain Healthy Teeth After Dental Cleaning
After your dental cleaning procedure, your natural teeth may feel sensitive for a few days, especially if there is a lot of tartar buildup. To keep your teeth clean and healthy after the treatment, our dentist often recommends the following:
- Avoid staining foods and drinks for 24 hours after your procedure, including red wine, tea, and coffee.
- Brush and floss daily after your treatment
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Drink lots of water.
With these healthy habits, you can reduce the chances of plaque building up in the future. These also support healthy teeth between visits to our dentist.
FAQs about Dental Cleanings
Q: Are dental cleanings safe during pregnancy?
A: Yes, they are. In fact, they are recommended because hormonal changes can increase your risk of sore gums. Keeping up with cleanings is important during pregnancy.
Q: Can children skip dental cleaning if they brush well?
A: No, they should not, because even with good brushing habits with fluoride toothpaste, professional cleaning is still necessary to remove buildup in areas kids might miss.
Q: What is the best time of day to schedule a dental cleaning?
A: You can schedule a dental cleaning appointment whenever you feel relaxed. Some prefer morning time, while others choose lunch breaks or late afternoons. It all depends on you. You can talk to our team at Studio Smiles NYC to schedule an appointment at your convenience.
