Why a Dentist Recommends Regular Dental Cleanings

As a family dentist in Chatham, we typically recommend a cleaning every six months, and it’s a great method to have professional inspections and preventative maintenance on a regular basis.

Your mouth has hundreds of types of bacteria, more than any other part of your body. This bacteria, if left unattended leads to inflammation, deterioration, and disease. Regular maintenance is required in order to optimize your oral health. The health of your mouth and your smile are closely linked with your overall health, in addition to mental health benefits that come with a healthy, beautiful smile.

While most people require a visit twice a year, some specialized services are necessary for people with crowded teeth. People who are prone to tooth decay may need a cleaning every month or even more often. 

Read on to learn more about the benefits of regular dental cleanings and which ones are right for you. After reading this article, you’ll be well on your way to maintaining your smile.

Teeth Scaling

The process of scaling is a nonsurgical dental treatment used to remove tartar, bacterial toxins, and plaque from the teeth and gums. The process may include a manual dental scaler or an ultrasonic device. It also involves root planing, which takes a deeper dive into the gums and smooths rough areas. Scaling is recommended every six months for a number of reasons. Ultimately, it leaves patients with a fresher and healthier smile.

Scaling should only produce mild discomfort for patients, however, most patients tolerate the process well. Afterward, patients may be advised to avoid eating certain foods and to use a desensitizing toothpaste to minimize discomfort. After the procedure, most patients do not experience a recovery period and will be asked to return for regular dental cleanings. Generally, patients notice a decrease in the amount of bleeding and inflammation after the treatment. 

Root Planing

A root planing procedure is a nonsurgical treatment for chronic periodontal disease, which is characterized by pockets of plaque around the teeth. It is more involved than a typical teeth cleaning. It may require more than one visit and a local anesthetic, but it can stop the destructive effects of chronic periodontal disease. A dentist will perform root planing on a patient who suffers from chronic periodontal disease to eliminate these pockets and promote healing.

Full Mouth Debridement

A full mouth debridement is a procedure performed by your hygienist to remove large amounts of plaque and tartar that has built up over time. If you’ve had no professional cleaning in more than 2 years, or if your tartar and plaque buildup is too extensive to be removed by brushing alone, your hygienist may recommend a full mouth debridement to remove it. This type of cleaning requires more time and effort from the clinician, and it may not be covered by your dental insurance plan.

This type of dental cleaning also includes a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums. The hygienist will use a handheld scaler and ultrasonic instrument to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. The whole process takes 45 minutes to an hour and does not replace a regular cleaning. Afterward, you may experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, as well as to sweets. This can be alleviated by using toothpaste for sensitive teeth. In addition, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene every day after a full mouth debridement.

Periodontal Maintenance

Regular dental cleanings can improve your health, especially if you have periodontal disease. Periodontal cleanings can remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Not only will your breath smell fresher, but you’ll also be able to smile with confidence again. If you have periodontal disease, it is important to have regular cleanings to keep your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful.

Regardless of your age, periodontal maintenance is important for maintaining the health of your gums. A dental cleaning is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene, and most insurance plans cover prophylaxis. While regular cleanings do not cure periodontal disease, they can help you stay healthy and avoid more serious problems. If you suffer from periodontal disease, visit your dentist Chatham trusts here at Chatham Family Dental at least twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups.