If you’re reading this article, you’re probably searching for “dental cleaning near me” and already on your way to scheduling an appointment. Professional dental cleanings are one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy, prevent oral health problems, and keep your smile bright and shining.
It’s hard to clean every nook and cranny of your mouth with just a toothbrush and floss. Even if you’re diligent about your oral hygiene routine at home, you may still develop plaque and tartar buildup in hard-to-reach places. During your visit, a dental hygienist will remove this buildup and check for any potential issues.
At Alpenglow Dental, we know that preventive care is crucial for maintaining your oral health. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about dental cleanings.
What Is a Professional Dental Cleaning?
A professional dental cleaning is a preventive treatment that removes plaque, tartar, and surface stains from teeth.
You have plaque on your teeth constantly. It is a sticky film full of bacteria that forms on teeth throughout the day. Brushing your teeth and flossing normally removes plaque, but it’s hard to get between teeth and where teeth meet gums.
If plaque stays on your teeth, it can turn into tartar (calculus). Regular brushing can’t remove tartar buildup. Dentists and hygienists have special instruments to remove tartar.
What to Expect at Your Dental Cleaning
Dental Cleaning Near me Sandy, Utah
Your dental cleaning appointment will often start with an examination of your teeth and gums. Your dental care team can check for cavities, gingivitis, tartar buildup, and more.
Typically, a cleaning will involve scraping off plaque and tartar built up around your teeth and along your gumline. Your teeth are then polished, which helps remove some surface stains and leaves your teeth feeling squeaky-clean.
Your dentist or hygienist may also floss your teeth for you and highlight places you can focus on when brushing and flossing at home.
You may also receive dental X-rays, fluoride treatment, or an evaluation by your dentist, depending on your oral health needs.
Why Are Regular Dental Cleanings Important?
Professional cleanings do much more than make your teeth feel fresh.
Professional teeth cleanings aren’t just for a squeaky-clean smile. Preventive care appointments can help decrease the amount of plaque and tartar you build up over time. They can also help reduce your chances of getting cavities and encourage healthier gums.
Regular dental visits also allow your dentist to keep an eye on any changes in your mouth. If you have issues that need to be monitored or treated, it’s better to find them sooner rather than later. Catching a problem early can mean an easier procedure than if you wait until it’s painful or more serious.
How Often Should I Get my Teeth Cleaned?
Many of our patients have heard that they need to see their dentist every six months. Although going to the dentist twice a year is very common, your schedule may not look exactly the same.
We may recommend a recall schedule based on your gum health, how often you’ve had cavities in the past, your oral hygiene practices, existing restorations you may have, and your risk for developing dental issues.
If you’ve had gum disease or other problems in the past, you may need to come in for more frequent preventive appointments.
Your hygienist and doctor will work with you to customize a schedule that’s right for you.
Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning, Know The Difference
A routine dental cleaning and a deep cleaning are not the same treatment.
Your dentist doesn’t recommend the same treatment for a cleaning vs. a deep cleaning.
Typically, regular cleanings are geared toward patients who have healthy gums and supporting structures. While there may be minor tartar buildup around your gumline, a regular cleaning will focus on removing plaque and tartar from your teeth.
If you have gum disease that has led to deeper periodontal pockets or tartar buildup below your gumline, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning. This type of cleaning often includes scaling and root planing.
Your dental team will advise you if they notice any signs of periodontal disease and whether further treatment might be beneficial.
Does a Dental Cleaning Hurt?
Routine teeth cleanings shouldn’t hurt.
Some patients may notice sensitivity if they have heavy tartar build-up, sensitive teeth, or inflamed gums. Just let your hygienist or dentist know if you feel any discomfort during the visit.
Don’t let it stop you from making an appointment if you know you are overdue for your cleaning. Dentists understand that many patients fall behind on their preventative maintenance, you just need to get back on track.
Will a Dental Cleaning Whiten my Teeth?
Yes and no. A dental cleaning is not the same thing as professional teeth whitening, but they will probably look whiter when you’re done. Dental polishing can help remove some surface stains from foods, drinks and other sources.
Getting rid of plaque and tartar buildup can also help your smile look cleaner. If you want to noticeably change the color of your teeth, talk to your dentist about professional whitening and other cosmetic dentistry procedures.
How do You Know You Need a Dental Cleaning?
Some-times the most obvious sign is just that you know it’s been awhile since your last visit. Other signs can be visible tartar buildup, chronic bad breath, bleeding when brushing/flossing, or reddened/swollen gums.
It’s important not to wait for problems before scheduling preventive appointments. Tooth decay and gum disease can progress without noticeable symptoms in the beginning stages.
That’s why we want to see you regularly to help monitor your oral health, even when you think everything is ok.
How do You Maintain Oral Hygiene Between Dental Visits?
Professional teeth cleanings are most effective when you practice good oral hygiene at home. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Additionally, clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or some other type of interdental cleaner recommended by your dentist. Be sure to focus on your gumline as well as those areas that are harder to reach towards the back of your mouth.
What you eat and drink also plays a role. Eating too many sugary foods and drinks can expose your teeth to harmful acids that cause cavities. Drinking water and eating a well-balanced diet can help maintain your oral health between visits.
What to Look For When Searching for a “Dental Cleaning Near Me”
Just because a dental office is nearby doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. Seek out a dentist that focuses on preventive care, good communication and doesn’t make you feel silly for asking questions. Ideally, you also want a team that can offer you continuous care should your regular cleaning uncover additional work that needs to be done.
Here are a few things to consider when looking for the right dental practice: services offered, availability of appointments, experience, insurance/payment options and their approach to patient care.
Trust is important and when you find a dentist you trust, it can make regular preventive care much easier to keep up with.
Should Children Get Professional Dental Cleanings?
Absolutely! Preventive dentistry plays a crucial role during your child’s development. As their teeth change and grow, so do their oral hygiene needs.
During regular visits we can clean your child’s teeth and monitor their development. We can check for cavities and help ensure they are learning good brushing and flossing habits. By starting dental visits young, your child will feel more comfortable at the dentist’s office and set themselves up with good habits they can carry into adulthood.
Don’t Wait Until You’re in Pain to See The Dentist
Emergency Dental Care
A common myth about seeing the dentist is that you only need to go when you’re experiencing pain. Preventative dentistry exists to help you prevent that scenario from happening.
Tooth decay can progress to a painful stage without you even realizing there was a problem. Your gums can face similar issues with early stages of gum disease causing few to no symptoms. That’s why regular check ups and teeth cleaning are so important. It allows your dental team to identify potential issues before they become serious.
Dental Cleanings: Keep Your Smile Healthy With Preventative Care
An important part of keeping your smile healthy is good dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly at home and visiting your dentist for preventive care are two key steps that you can take to protect your teeth and gums.
If you’re searching for “dental cleaning near me,” let that be your sign to grab your calendar and book your next appointment.
At Alpenglow Dental, our staff works hard to provide you with comfortable and customized dental care. We want to help you keep your smile healthy for years to come.
BOOK YOUR NEXT DENTAL APPOINTMENT WITH ALPENGLOW DENTAL
Need to catch up on your regular cleaning schedule? Come in a little while and want to start seeing the dentist again? No matter your reason for visiting us, we want to help you take the next step with confidence.
Call Alpenglow Dental in Sandy today at (801) 561-8131 to schedule your next dental cleaning appointment and continue on your path to a clean, healthy smile.
