Why do dentists recommend teeth cleaning?
Teeth cleaning is important to protect against gum disease, cavities and tooth loss. During a cleaning, dental hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup. In addition, they are able to go around and beneath the gum line. These are places where you don’t reach with normal brushing.
How does teeth cleaning work?
In most cases, the process takes under an hour. The hygienist does the work of collecting the necessary assessments and cleaning your teeth. You may receive x-rays. How frequently they take x-rays depends on:
- Your age
- The state of your dental health
- Symptoms of oral disease
- How at risk you are for disease
After completing the assessments, the hygienist then proceeds with cleaning. They remove plaque from the surface of your teeth. This is also called scaling. Using an abrasive paste, then they polish your teeth. After that, they floss. If necessary, they can give you a fluoride treatment for teeth strengthening and cavity prevention.
The ADA leaves it up to the dentist to decide how frequently you need teeth cleaning. Most people have cleanings twice a year. If you have gum disease or other issues, then three or four times a year may be necessary. However, some patients with excellent oral health may only need cleanings once a year.
The benefits of dental cleaning
Early detection of infections and oral disease are the benefits of regular dental cleaning. An estimated 80% of the nation has some form of gum disease. The way to prevent that is regular visits to your dentist and hygienist twice a year for cleanings and examinations.
(Reference: Forbes Health)
Do you need to schedule a dental appointment?
Our friendly staff at Hutto Hippo Family Dental is happy help you. We are glad to answer your questions about cleaning or other dental concerns. And, we don’t believe in making patients wait. Your time is valuable, and we know that. We’ll strive to get you in to see the dentist as soon as possible.
Give us a call. Our number is (512) 806-7740.
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