Health

Dental Cleanings: The Cornerstone of Preventive Dentistry

A healthy oral routine comprises regular brushing and flossing. However, this may not eliminate plaque and bacteria completely. You may need a professional approach in the form of dental cleaning. These are essential to keep your teeth cavity-free and shining bright. 

The Dental care in Hollywood, FL offered by expert specialists strives to eliminate the onset of oral diseases or halts in progression through regular dental visits and professional cleanings. 

Dental cleanings are professional procedures offered by a dentist or dental hygienist to eliminate plaque, calculus, bacteria, and food debris using special instruments.

How do dental cleanings benefit you?

The benefits of dental cleaning go beyond simply removing plaque and calculus. They improve your oral health in the following ways:

  • Deep dental cleanings help remove plaque and calculus from areas not accessible through routine brushing and flossing. 
  • Fluoride treatment post dental cleanings protects your enamel and makes your teeth strong and resistant to caries.
  • Dental cleanings are accompanied by dental exams which help detect early signs of oral diseases such as oral cancer. These exams also evaluate the condition of your gums and cavities.
  • Cleanings remove stains, prevent tooth discoloration, and help enhance your smile boosting your confidence.

What are the types of dental cleanings?

There are different types of dental cleanings depending on your requirements and condition:

Prophylaxis cleaning

  • This is a professional cleaning done to prevent disease. 
  • This is common for people who have healthy mouths.

Scaling and root planing

  • These are non-invasive procedures that are more extensive than regular brushing and flossing. 
  • Scaling removes dental plaque by scraping the tooth surfaces using small dental scalers.
  • Root planing helps to smoothen the root surfaces, aiding a firm attachment between the gums and teeth. 

Full mouth debridement

  • This dental procedure is recommended if you have poor oral habits and have avoided dental checkups for too long.
  • Also known as gross cleaning, it involves thorough deep cleaning of the mouth.
  • The procedure uses ultrasonic tools and local anesthesia to numb sensitive areas while cleaning. 

Periodontal maintenance 

  • Periodontal maintenance is designed to prevent gingivitis and the recurrence of other diseases. 
  • Your dentist will advise you to visit every 3 months for maintenance dental cleanings for more severe cases of periodontal diseases. 

Conclusion 

Depending on your oral health and the amount of plaque removal required, different types of dental cleanings may be recommended. These help your teeth stay cavity-free and facilitate dentists to halt oral diseases before they damage your teeth and gums. 

Professional dental cleaning once in 6 months, brushing twice a day, and flossing once daily, help keep your mouth clean, revitalize your smile, and improve your overall health and well-being.