Dental Cleaning

The dental cleaning appointment is normally a fairly routine one. But its importance should not be underestimated. In combination with regular brushing and flossing, this vital visit gives you your best chance at avoiding tooth decay and gum disease.

Although there are some variations, let’s take a look at what goes into a routine dental cleaning appointment, and why they are so important, so that you know what to expect the next time you visit the dentist.

Purpose of Cleanings

The main purpose of the dental cleaning appointment is to prevent the following problems, or to detect them when they are at an early stage that is more easily treatable:

Tooth decay
Plaque and tartar
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease

Preventing Gum Disease

The main benefit of a dental cleaning appointment is to prevent gum disease. Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory infection of the gums that surround and support the teeth. It is caused by the accumulation of plaque, which is a sticky substance that can build up on teeth over time, inflaming the gums and leading to infection. Eventually, gum disease can progress to the point that the teeth may loosen and even fall out.

Maintaining Your Dental Cleaning Appointments

It can be tempting to skip a routine cleaning appointment, thinking that your brushing and flossing is enough. And sometimes it is. But tooth decay and plaque can take hold before you know it, and many of the warning signs are not evident until conditions like these have progressed to a serious degree. So regular dental cleaning appointments prevent a lot of hassles that could otherwise develop.

Dental Cleaning

The purpose of the dental cleaning is to remove any accumulated plaque or tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a substance that forms due to the presence of oral bacteria that are always in the mouth. If you are not practicing proper oral hygiene, plaque has the time an opportunity to stick to your teeth and irritate your teeth and gums. Eventually, plaque hardens into tartar that is only removable by your dental team.

Your dental hygienist will use specialized dental tools to scrape and remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and around your gum line. If you have been keeping up with your regular dental cleaning appointments, this type of routine cleaning will go a lot smoother and be completed a lot faster than if you would need a great amount of plaque and tartar removed.

Schedule Your Next Dental Cleaning Appointment

Hopefully, by now you understand how important dental cleaning appointments are in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Keep your smile radiant with routine dental cleanings. Our team of hygienists would be happy to assist you and your family. Call today or request an appointment online. New patients are welcome!