One of the foundations of good dental health is routine teeth cleanings by the local dentist, as they provide benefits contributing to beautiful, healthy smiles. Knowing what to expect during these cleanings helps alleviate any related fears or phobias, which both children and adults can experience. Learn more about dental cleanings here, including how often to schedule them. 

A Quick Guide to Teeth Cleaning Services

Why They’re Important

Professional teeth cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist remove plaque and surface stains, such as those from coffee or tea. They also eliminate tartar, or the hardened form of plaque that accumulates under the gums. Unlike plaque, tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. Plaque is a sticky biofilm that forms naturally in the mouth, but releases tooth decay-causing acids when it feeds on sugary food particles that wear on tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay, or cavities. 

This biofilm also irritates gum tissue as it accumulates, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding that heightens the chance of gingivitis, or the precursor to gum disease. Gingivitis is reversible with proper dental care, while gum disease is a chronic health issue that breaks down gum tissue, and needs managing to avoid loose and missing teeth. By removing plaque and tartar, your dentist helps you avoid cavities and gum health issues. 

How Often to Schedule Them

As a general rule, request professional teeth cleanings twice a year, or every six months. This helps prevent tartar from building up under the gumline and causing severe irritation and recession. It also reduces your cavity risk, especially since cleanings are typically paired with dental checkups. The dentist looks for any signs of dental issues and makes suggestions depending on their findings, such as using an anti-tartar mouth rinse in addition to daily brushing and flossing. 

What to Expect 

Teeth cleanings typically start with the dentist or dental hygienist using a tiny mirror and scraping tool to remove plaque and tartar. Next, they polish your teeth with a gritty tooth cleaning product and a small electric polishing tool to remove surface stains. The dental professional also flosses your teeth to eliminate any remaining debris and provides a fluoride mouth rinse. You’ll swish the rinse in your mouth to remove dislodged particles, then spit into a small suction cup. 

Once your teeth are completely clean, the dentist examines your teeth for any issues. They also might take dental x-rays, depending on when your last x-rays were, to check for problems they cannot see with other dental tools, such as impacted wisdom teeth. Unlike cleanings, x-rays are typically necessary on an annual basis. 

For teeth cleaning services, make an appointment at Harold R. Arthur, D.M.D., P.A. Family Dentistry. Serving Live Oak, FL and the surrounding areas, this dentist offers a full suite of services for children and adults, including root canals and dental crowns. Call (386) 330-5181 today to make an appointment or visit the website for additional information.