Teeth Cleanings
Teeth Cleaning
Good oral health starts at home and requires regular visitations with your dentist. Even if you follow the recommended dental health guidelines, we all miss little details that can lead to oral issues down the road. The best way to cover all your bases is by relying on a professional to pick up the slack. At Hood Family Dentistry, we are excited to offer professional teeth cleanings in Seneca for those patients looking for a truly healthy smile.
Understanding Professional Dental Cleanings
What is a Professional Teeth Cleaning?
Receiving a professional tooth cleaning regularly is an essential component of maintaining excellent oral health. Dental cleanings aren’t just to remove debris from between your teeth and improve your breath, although they do that too. During a cleaning, your dentist has an opportunity to take a full appraisal of your dental condition, remove plaque buildup, and take x-rays to identify any potential health defects.
How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
As a general rule, you should undergo a professional teeth cleaning in Seneca every time you do your regular dental checkups. According to the American Dental Association, every adult should receive a dental examination at least once every six months to ensure they are maintaining good oral health. Receiving a cleaning during this time can help you avoid infections and other adverse dental health conditions.
Why Do I Need a Professional Teeth Cleaning?
Even those of us who go to great lengths to maintain a high standard of personal oral hygiene tend to miss somethings. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly is great, but the vast majority of us do not have the tools at home necessary to replicate the outcomes of a dental visit.
Teeth tend to be bunched up together, leaving only tiny spaces and cervices between them that even dental floss can’t always reach. As we eat and go about our lives, spall particulates and pieces of food become engrained in those tight spaces between our teeth. Over time, the remains become a breeding ground for bacteria, which grows and hardens, becoming plaque and tartar.
If this buildup is allowed to continue, the bacteria begin to excrete toxins directly onto your gums. These toxins have an irritating effect on your gums, causing them to swell, become sensitive, and easily bleed. This is how you develop gum disease, a pervasive oral condition with potentially dangerous effects that can be averted with regular dental cleanings.
What Can I Expect During a Dental Cleaning?
Dental cleanings begin like any dental appointment. First, your dentist will examine your oral cavity, including teeth and gums, to determine how thorough of a cleaning you will need. Next, your dentist will begin scaling your teeth – this is the process of scraping away plaque with a special instrument. Then, your teeth will be polished and professionally flossed before you receive a fluoride rinse.
Do Professional Teeth Cleanings Hurt?
Most aspects of a teeth cleaning do not cause pain; however, scaling and flossing can cause some discomfort. Some factors can lead you to feel more pain than usual, and that is usually the result of dental sensitivity, not flossing regularly, or going a long time between dental cleanings. Also, people who suffer from temporomandibular disorders are subject to additional discomfort since their mouth will be open for the duration of the treatment.
What are the Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleanings?
- Helps prevent cavities and other forms of tooth decay
- Improves the appearance of your smiles and eliminates bad breath
- Enhances your overall dental health
Are You Looking for a Professional Teeth Cleaning in Seneca?
Hood Family Dentistry is here to protect your smile and improve your dental health. If you are due for professional cleaning, trust the caring and skilled hands of our team. Get in touch with us today to book your appointment.
