Having your teeth cleaned regularly is one of the most important things you can do to support your overall dental health. A dental cleaning is included in an annual dental check-up, which should be performed at least once a year, if not twice.
Even if you believe your teeth are clean, a thorough examination by a dental professional is essential, to be specific, as the early stages of gum disease are frequently challenging to detect.
Why Are Dental Cleanings Important?
Dental cleaning is essential in preventing tooth loss. They are a necessary part of maintaining your overall oral health, and they should not be skipped.
The main reason most people get their teeth cleaned is to prevent cavities and tooth decay. The cleaning procedure removes plaque, tartar, and surface stains caused by smoking, tea, and coffee.
Moreover, plaque is a sticky and colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. This film is made up of bacteria, food particles, and minerals. Even if you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, you cannot get rid of plaque.
As plaque builds up on your teeth, it can harden into tartar. This can start to irritate your gums, causing them to become swollen and bleed. This will result in gum disease.
Regular professional cleanings will prevent most of these problems before they start. Preventing gum disease and tooth decay is the main reason for making regular dental visits a priority.
How Often Should You Have a Dental Cleaning?
As mentioned above, dental cleaning is essential for an annual dental check-up. In decades past, it was customary for dentists to recommend a check-up every six months.
Furthermore, having your teeth cleaned once a year is a good starting point, but it is not guaranteed that you won’t have any dental problems. Besides that, if you are a smoker, you should have your teeth cleaned every three months. This is because smoking makes it more challenging to control oral breath and oral health.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
Dental cleaning is a procedure that is performed by a dentist or their staff. It involves a thorough examination of each tooth. They will start with the soft tissues of your mouth, including your gums, tongue, lips, and cheeks.
Your dentist will then use a scaler to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. While the dentist does this, they will also inspect for gum and tooth disease signs.
Most dental cleanings last around 30 minutes. Your dentist might also give you a thorough demonstration of how to brush and floss your teeth properly.
Additionally, dental hygiene is an essential part of dental health. It is the practice of preventing oral diseases and conditions through regular habits and routine procedures.
Just like dental cleanings, dental hygiene is part of a routine practice that most people do not follow. If a person has a decent level of dental health, they might only need a dental cleaning every six months to a year.
Conclusion
Dental cleanings are an essential part of your dental health. It would help if you prioritized having your teeth cleaned at least once a year. This is the only way to monitor your dental health and ensure that you will not have any problems.
If you are looking for a dentist in Melrose who can help you with your dental cleanings, Melrose Dental Group has got your back! Our patients receive comprehensive dental care from us. We strongly believe in educating people about their oral health and recommending personalized dental treatments.