Routine dental cleanings are an essential part of your oral health. Check out this complete guide to dental cleanings for adults to learn more.
Putting off dental cleanings can lead to cavities and other dental problems. Among adults between the ages of 20-64, 92% have at
least one cavity, according to the National Institutes of Health. Fortunately, dental cleanings are affordable, fast, and easy.
Your dentist in Mount Vernon NY can explain the benefits of this preventative treatment. To help our patients maintain optimal oral health, we recommend that our patients have cleanings performed at least twice a year. Read on to learn how the process works and what dental cleaning tools are commonly used.
What Are Dental Cleanings?
Dental cleanings, along with good oral hygiene habits, are the first line of defense against cavities and gum disease. Cleanings are considered preventative treatments because they are proven to prevent dental problems before they arise.
Why do you need a professional to clean your teeth? Brushing is important, but it cannot remove calcified tartar. There are also hard-to-reach areas that only a trained dental hygienist can reach.
Even if you brush carefully and diligently, tartar buildup will eventually compromise the health of your teeth. This is why we recommend that our patients undergo twice-a-year cleanings at our dental practice.
Do I Need Dental Cleanings?
Anyone can benefit from dental cleanings. For certain patients, the treatments are particularly important. Cleanings are a great resource for:
- Children who are more prone to cavities
- Teens undergoing orthodontic treatment
- Anyone with a history of gum disease
- Anyone with a history of cavities
- Patients over 60
- Individuals who use tobacco products
If you are looking for a cost-effective means of reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease, let one of our
team members tell you about the benefits of scheduling routine cleanings.
Do Cleanings Treat Gum Disease?
Regular cleanings address the causes of
gum disease. Gingivitis and more serious forms of gum disease result from the buildup of plaque and tartar along the gumline. This allows bacteria to thrive and feed.
The gum tissue initially reacts to the presence of bacteria by swelling. This causes the symptoms of gingivitis. Left untreated, milder forms of gum disease can progress.
More advanced forms of gum disease will cause the gum tissue to eventually pull away from the surface of your teeth. This can lead to cosmetically unpleasant gum tissue recession. When gum disease advances to a certain point, tooth extraction may become necessary.
Dental cleanings can reverse the early stages of gum disease. If you have advanced periodontitis, you may be a candidate for deep cleaning. This treatment works similarly to cleanings but with a focus below the gum line.
Are Dental Cleanings Affordable?
Dental cleanings are one of the most affordable treatments we offer. Follow our website for discount offers for new patients. We often combine x-rays, exams, and a discounted cleaning for our first-time patients.
Dental cleanings are often covered in part or full by dental insurance. Insurance providers help cover the cost of cleanings because the treatments are proven to prevent the need for costlier interventions down the road.
If you have questions about the cost of cleanings or how much could be covered by your insurance, give our office a call. A member of our team will be glad to answer any of your questions.
What Happens During Dental Cleanings?
Dental cleanings and exams are typically scheduled together. When you arrive, a member of our team will check your vitals. If you have any questions or have experienced any oral discomfort, this is a great time to alert one of our team members.
Dental cleanings are typically performed by a trained dental hygienist. Your hygienist will use a special metal tool called a scaler to carefully dislodge and remove tartar buildup from between your teeth and the crevices of your molars.
Once tartar has been fully removed from your teeth, a special rotating tool will be used to polish your teeth. This step can really brighten your smile. A gritty paste is used with the polish to enhance the cleaning power of the rotating tool.
Your hygienist may finish the cleaning by flossing your teeth. If you have any lingering dental problems that need to address, someone from our team can schedule that procedure before you leave.
What Happens During a Deep Cleaning?
Deep dental cleanings use a special tool to smooth the surface of the teeth below the gum line. This step removes bacteria and encourages gum tissue to reattach to the tooth surface.
Once the gum tissue returns to its normal position, bacteria will no longer be able to reach areas of your teeth that they can damage. There are cosmetic benefits to deep cleanings. The treatment can even prevent the need for tooth extractions.
For most patients, one deep cleaning is enough to reverse gum disease and restore oral health. Some patients may require multiple deep cleanings. Tobacco users, for example, are more prone to gum disease and may require more frequent cleanings.
Schedule Your Dentist in Mount Vernon NY Visit Today
At Sparkle Dental, your oral health is our number one concern. That is why we recommend that all of our patients have twice-a-year dental cleanings to prevent gum disease and cavities from occurring.
As you've learned in this article, preventative treatments are affordable and convenient. Your dentist in Mount Vernon NY looks forward to seeing you.
Contact our office today to schedule your next visit. If you are a first-time patient, ask about any specials being offered to new patients at Sparkle Dental.
