Dental cleaning is a routine dentistry service offered at dental clinics. It involves the removal of dental plaque and tartar from your teeth to promote oral hygiene. Dental cleaning is an essential service, and it’s recommended that you get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year professionally.
But why are dental cleanings important? The main benefit of dental cleanings is that they promote oral hygiene, which helps keep common dental problems at bay. According to the National Institutes of Health, professional dental cleaning can help prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontist, and many other teeth problem.
Top 10 Dental Cleaning and Other Oral Hygiene Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
If you haven’t been getting your teeth cleaned professionally, it’s time to understand why dental cleanings are important. Regular teeth cleaning lets you keep your mouth healthy and avoid dental problems that plague many people. Below is a look at some top dental cleaning and other oral hygiene tips you should follow today.
Find A Provider Online
We’ve already established that there are many answers to the question, “why are dental cleanings important?” But how can you find the ideal dental cleaning provider so that you can reap these benefits? Well, the internet is an excellent place to start your search.
If you don’t have a regular dental office where you can get dental cleanings, you can easily find one online. Search for ‘dental offices near me’ or ‘dental cleaning services near me,’ and you will find several recommendations for dentists who offer dental cleanings and other services in your location.
Another option to consider when looking for a dental provider online is a telehealth service. Through telehealth, you can find a virtual dentist to examine your teeth and determine if you need a dental cleaning. Additionally, your virtual dentist can spot other teeth problems that must be addressed during your dental visit.
The best thing about using teledentistry is that the assessment is virtual. Therefore, you can get your teeth cared for even if you don’t have time to visit a dental office – for example, due to a busy work schedule or travel.
Research Best Provider For Your Needs
Your dentist has a significant impact on your oral health. A good dentist can spot oral health issues early on, allowing you to receive timely treatment. Additionally, if your dentist makes you comfortable and welcome, you’re more likely to visit them often, which is excellent for your dental health. Therefore, when searching for a dentist, you must select the most suitable one to meet your needs.
How do you select the dental office you’ll be visiting? Location is a vital factor to consider, which you’ve already covered above – by searching for dentists near your location. Other factors to consider include operating hours – especially if you’re not usually available during regular working hours.
Apart from convenience, it’s also a good idea to consider the services offered by the dentist. For example, does the office provide dental cleaning services or other solutions such as orthodontic care, restorative care, etc.? The costs of service and supported insurance plans are also another vital factor you must consider.
Schedule a Cleaning
Keeping your oral health intact is another answer to the question, “why are dental cleanings important?” Therefore, after finding a suitable dental care provider, the next step is to book an appointment and schedule your cleaning.
Unlike many other dental procedures, dental cleaning is not invasive. Instead, it’s a simple and painless exercise; hence there’s no need to dread visiting your dentist. During your appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth for signs of other dental issues that may need to be addressed.
Once the examination is over, teeth cleaning starts, which involves scaling the built-up plaque and tartar around your teeth. The dentist then brushes your teeth with an abrasive paste and electric toothbrush to remove any remaining plaque deposits and stains in your teeth. You can also expect your dentist to floss your teeth and, if need be, apply a fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay.
Aside from dental cleaning, your dentist can offer you more dental care services during your appointment. For example, they can conduct a dental x-ray examination, do an oral cancer screening, and apply a dental sealant. These services are essential in ensuring that your teeth remain healthy.
Find Emergency Care
When most people hear about visiting an emergency dentist, they automatically think it’s about dental injuries or problems such as severe toothache, swelling, etc. However, emergency dentistry can also involve dental cleaning. Therefore, you should be okay with scheduling an emergency dental appointment to clean your teeth.
There are several instances in which emergency dental care for teeth cleaning might be necessary. For example, if you have skipped several cleaning sessions or haven’t had one in a long time. In this case, the dental plaque and tartar might have accumulated, putting you at serious risk of tooth decay or gum infection.
You may also need an immediate dental cleaning if you have noticed signs such as sensitive teeth, toothache, bleeding gums, etc. Visiting an emergency dentist in this situation will allow your teeth to be examined, thus identifying the root cause of the issue. Afterward, the dentist will recommend dental cleaning or other dental procedures to help treat the problem.
Lastly, an emergency dental cleaning is also helpful if you want your teeth to look bright before an important event. For example, if you’re attending a wedding, party, or any other event, dental cleaning can give you clean, white teeth, which will boost your confidence significantly.
Keep Routine Appointments
If you’re still wondering, ‘Why are dental cleanings important?’ you’ll be pleased to know that they can save you from expensive dental treatments. By having your teeth cleaned regularly by a dentist, you can prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other resulting dental issues that can cost thousands of dollars to treat. Therefore, you should maintain regular dental appointments for your teeth cleaning.
Professional dental cleaning is a vital part of your teeth care. According to WebMD, most dentists recommend you book a dental cleaning visit twice a year. However, one annual appointment might also work for you, depending on the health of your teeth. If you’re in doubt, you can always consult your dentist on the appropriate dental cleaning frequency to keep your teeth in perfect condition.
Besides dental cleaning appointments, you should also make regular visits for other dental care services – at least twice a year. You may also need more frequent dental visits for issues such as dental braces, tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, etc.
Braces Guide
According to the Pennsylvania Dental Association, about four million Americans have braces on them at each given time. They are so popular because they help fix many dental issues, such as teeth grinding, misaligned bites, crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and more. You, too, can get the benefits offered braces by looking for ‘an orthodontist near me.”
Unfortunately, caring for your teeth can be tough with braces. Food particles can easily get lodged in them, causing dental plaque, tartar, and oral bacteria to accumulate. Therefore, if you’re wondering, ‘why are dental cleanings important?’ caring for your teeth when wearing braces is another good reason.
Besides brushing and flossing your teeth, you must visit your dental office regularly to have your teeth cleaned. During these visits, the dentist will also check on the status of your braces to ensure there is no problem.
Extensive Dental Care
Preventing damage to your teeth is another answer to ‘Why are dental cleanings important?’ Fortunately, there’s still hope for you, even if your teeth have been damaged due to poor oral hygiene. This can be through restorative dental solutions such as dental crowns, veneers, and filings.
The dental restoration solutions offered by your dentist can help fix your damaged teeth, restoring their functionality and pleasing appearance. However, like natural teeth, you must also care for restored teeth to ensure they last long and prevent further damage.
Caring for restored teeth will start with simple dental oral hygiene tips such as brushing and flossing regularly. Dental cleaning appointments are another way to ensure that your teeth remain healthy and that your fillings, crowns, and veneers are not damaged.
Lastly, you should also maintain regular dental visits for checkups. During these routine appointments, your dentist will examine your teeth to ensure that your restored teeth are in perfect condition. They will also check for signs of other additional dental issues that must be addressed before they become a problem.
Missing Teeth
If you’re still looking for reasons for ‘Why are dental cleanings important?’ keeping your teeth intact should suffice. According to WHO, up to 7% of younger adults (from age 20) and 23% of older adults (60 and above) suffer total tooth loss. The figures are even higher for people with partial tooth loss, often caused by poor oral hygiene.
Fortunately, there are teeth restoration solutions for missing teeth, such as dental implants and bridges. These solutions help replace the missing teeth, restoring your mouth’s function and visual appeal (smile). Implants and dental bridges are also an excellent way of protecting the remaining natural teeth and your mouth from additional issues such as teeth overgrowth, bone loss, and an uneven bite.
However, you must also care for your new teeth to ensure they last long. You can do this by observing oral hygiene tips such as regular brushing and flossing your teeth, routine visits to your dentist, routine dental cleaning appointments, etc.
Make Your Smile Better
Giving you a great smile is another answer to the question, ‘Why are dental cleanings important?’ If you have stained or discolored teeth, getting them cleaned professionally by your dentist can help restore their bright shine. Dental cleaning also helps to keep your gums healthy, prevent cavities (which can be unsightly), and give you fresh breath. All of these benefits will help you smile more brightly and with confidence.
Besides dental cleanings, there are several other oral hygiene tips for a great smile that you can observe. For example, brushing and flossing your teeth can help prevent cavities and gum infections, thus giving you a healthy smile. You can also ensure your teeth remain healthy and visually pleasing by avoiding bad eating habits, such as sugary and sticky food that encourages bacterial growth.
Lastly, you can get a healthy smile by seeking treatment immediately if you have a dental problem. Dental solutions such as teeth bonding can help fix damaged teeth and restore their functionality and aesthetic appeal. This can give you a perfect smile while preventing further damage to your teeth.
Continue Taking Care of Oral Health
If you’re still wondering, ‘why are dental cleanings important?’ keeping oral health in top shape is another reason. Dental health is vital to your overall health – good oral health can prevent health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications, and more. Therefore, you must maintain your oral health by observing oral hygiene and care.
Regular brushing and flossing is an excellent place to start. You can also keep your mouth clean and healthy by using mouthwash and chewing sugar-free gum. Additionally, you should food, drinks, and substances that can damage your teeth – for example, sugary foods, tobacco, and excessive intake of coffee and alcohol.
Lastly, you need to maintain regular visits to your dentist’s office. This includes visits for routine checkups, dental cleaning appointments, and when you need dental treatments. Lastly, taking care of your overall health can also impact your oral health. For example, diabetes and HIV/AIDs can increase the risk of gum infections and other oral health issues.
If you’ve been asking, ‘why are dental cleanings important?’ the above are all the reasons you need to visit your dentist for a cleaning. Teeth cleaning and other oral hygiene tips are vital to oral health. They help to protect your teeth from damage, keep your dental health intact, and give you a perfect smile that boosts your confidence. Therefore, you should visit your dentist for cleanings and other dental care services as often as possible.