Your dentist probably tells you to come in every six months for your dental cleaning, but do you know why? Most people think of their cleanings as an opportunity to get rid of plaque, calculus, and stains on their teeth. While that’s all well and good, the real benefit of regular cleanings is that they can prevent some types of dental emergencies that arise when bacteria get into the soft tissues inside your mouth.
What is a dental cleaning?
A dental cleaning, also known as a prophylaxis, is a preventive dental procedure designed to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. It involves brushing your teeth, flossing, an inspection by a dentist or hygienist to check for cavities or other problems and polishing your teeth with special tools. Afterward, you may have to have impressions taken of your bite to create customized oral appliances that are more comfortable than traditional braces. The idea is that regular cleanings will keep your gums healthy, which can prevent gum disease and other types of dental issues later. Cavities are formed when bacteria in plaque turn sugars in food into acids which eat away at tooth enamel over time, tartar forms when bacteria accumulate along with minerals from saliva.
Things you can expect during your cleaning
Using professional tools and solutions to safely clean your teeth, gums, and tongue. The dental cleaning process may vary based on your dentist’s recommendations, but it generally lasts about 30 minutes. And, like your regular haircut appointment (but even more so), it’s designed to make you look (and feel) better for longer. Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria; regular cleanings help remove plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Taking care of them now—before they become problems later—can ensure you keep your pearly whites healthy for life.
What happens if I don’t get regular dental cleanings?
Those nasty germs that cause tooth decay aren’t just in your mouth. They’re on surfaces, too. When you eat sugary foods, you leave sugar residue on your teeth and gums. If bacteria get into that area, it starts eating up all that leftover sugar to create acids. But if you brush twice a day with an anti-cavity toothpaste and floss regularly, you can prevent these acidic byproducts from building up in your mouth. Flossing helps remove plaque away from your gum line, so it doesn’t have a chance to cause cavities or gum disease. If left untreated for long periods of time, periodontal disease can be painful and even lead to tooth loss.
Tooth decay also increases your risk of developing dental emergencies, like toothaches or abscesses. You may develop an abscess on your gums if you accidentally bite down on a piece of food that got stuck between your teeth and can’t be removed without professional help. While it’s possible to remove most food particles with proper brushing and flossing, sometimes you don’t notice them until they become too big to easily get out of your mouth on your own. And abscesses are extremely painful, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Request an appointment here: https://lakeworth-dentistry.com/ or call Lake Worth Dentistry at (561) 816-2738 for an appointment in our Greenacres office.