Why Are Dental Cleanings Important?
Brushing and flossing daily keeps the dangerous bacteria that live in the oral cavity at healthy levels. It helps to remove the bacteria from the surfaces of the gums and teeth and hinders tooth decay and the development of periodontal disease.
Professional cleanings are essential because they provide a deep cleansing for the oral cavity, reaching areas that brushing and flossing alone cannot. It helps remove tartar, plaque, and bacteria from the visible areas of the teeth and gums and those below them.
When the oral cavity has an infection, it can easily spread throughout the body through the bloodstream, leading to serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes.
What Happens During a Cleaning?
Professional cleanings generally take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. Our office will always update patient records to properly track oral cavity anomalies. We will also use a scaler to remove tartar, bacteria, and plaque from teeth by scraping them off. This is done both above and below the gum line.
Once completed, we will use an abrasive toothpaste to remove any stains on tooth enamel. X-rays are also taken to evaluate the jawbone's health and determine if any action needs to be taken to ensure oral health.
During these professional cleanings, we will also check the patient's teeth for any changes in their oral pathology. We look for ulcers, sores, abscesses, and other tissue anomalies. Identifying abnormal tissue growths is crucial, as we can determine if they indicate oral cancer and other diseases or illnesses.