Dental cleaning

What is a dental cleaning?

Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease.

We need teeth cleanings for two reasons:

• To prevent diseases in the rest of the body like heart disease, dementia, and complications of diabetes
• To prevent tooth loss

The mouth is an area that’s completely different from the entire body, and it takes quite a beating from the food we eat and the talking we do all day long. And this unique environment requires special care.

Prevention is the best way to maintain overall health and keep beautiful teeth for a lifetime — and teeth cleanings are a critical piece of this prevention.

How often should you get a teeth cleaning?

Be sure to add a dental visit to this year’s spring cleaning list. A professional dental cleaning at least twice a year can improve your oral health, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). The AGD strongly recommends that a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. This professional dental cleaning reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives the dentist an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention.

People who regularly practice good oral hygiene at home with proper brushing and flossing techniques typically do not experience discomfort during a cleaning. However, those who have neglected their oral hygiene habits may experience some discomfort or sensitivity during a dental cleaning. The dentist can use a topical anesthetic before the cleaning to alleviate any discomfort.
During a dental cleaning, you’ll receive diagnostic and preventive services from your dentist as well as any needed educational information.

After the Teeth Cleaning

No matter whether you have gum disease or not, or what stage gum disease you have, your oral hygiene at home is critical. Follow through after your teeth cleaning is everything.

Make sure you are:

• Brushing and flossing after meals, or at least twice per day.
• Eating a diet rich in vegetables.
• Making an appointment for every three months if you have gum disease, or every six months if you don’t have gum disease and are just maintaining good health.