Even when you take great care of your teeth by brushing at least twice daily, flossing once, and rinsing with fluoride, plaque and tartar still build up on your teeth. In addition, your saliva continuously deposits calcium on your teeth, which helps strengthen and protect them. Large amounts of plaque, tartar, and calcium allow bacteria to live right next to your gums. Eventually, this can lead to painful infections.
You know a cleaning helps your oral health, but what exactly does that mean? Here are several conditions a cleaning prevents:
- Oral cancer – You are screened for oral cancer every time you have your teeth cleaned
- Gum disease – This infection can be very painful and cause the loss of your teeth
- Heart attacks & strokes – The relationship between gum disease and heart attacks and strokes isn’t totally clear, but some recent studies have found at least some level of relationship
- Bad breath – Most people with bad breath have a dental problem to blame
What are Other Reasons You Should Have your Teeth Cleaned?
Dental cleanings can prevent these problems entirely. But, that’s not the only reason to have them. Other important reasons you might be interested in having your teeth cleaned regularly include:
- Making additional procedures unnecessary. Letting a cavity, broken fillings, or gum disease go can lead to the need to have a root canal, gum surgery, and teeth pulled.
- Keeping your oral health on track. Your dentist keeps track of your long-term oral health by comparing your current check-up to previous ones. If your current routine isn’t effective, he will help you identify a more beneficial routine.
- To ensure an attractive smile. First impressions are hard to change. A bright white smile helps you make a great first impression on everyone you meet.
How do Dental Cleanings Work?
Dental cleanings are one of the most painless dental services you can possibly have. Here is how the process works, so you can go in feeling relaxed, knowing everything will be okay:
- Ultrasonic Equipment – First, an ultrasonic instrument is used to loosen the larger pieces of tartar. It makes a minor humming noise, and actually tickles your teeth when in action. None of the parts of this instrument are sharp. You may get a little sensitive to the tickling, so be sure to let Dr. Hazzouri know if that happens.
- Dental Tools – After the larger pieces of tartar have been removed, the Hygienist will use scalers and curettes to remove the smaller deposits. A gentle to moderate amount of scraping pressure is used to work the tartar loose.
- Polishing – Now that all the pieces of tartar have been removed, your teeth will be polished. A flavored paste is rubbed onto a tool with a soft rubber cup that spins quickly. Your teeth are polished until they are shiny smooth.
- Fluoride – Finally, you will be given in-office strength fluoride. This fluoride comes in about as many flavors as there are ice cream flavors and tastes just as good. Don’t swallow it though! It’s intended only for topical use and can give you a stomach ache if swallowed in excess amounts.
If your teeth are due for a cleaning, contact David Hazzouri Dental using our online form, or call us at 570.961.6030