Dental Cleanings In Charlotte, NC

The Necessity Of Teeth Cleanings

It may be confusing to hear your dentist recommend that you come in for a cleaning even though you thoroughly brush and floss your teeth daily. It’s easy to believe that at-home care is all you need to maintain your smile. Nevertheless, dental cleanings are not only recommended but also necessary.

Your mouth is a complex area. There are many hidden spaces, gaps, and crevices that a regular toothbrush, floss, and even mouthwash can’t adequately reach. Bacteria finds its way into these places and multiplies until it presents a much more significant problem when it damages your teeth in ways that surprise you. Scheduling an appointment every six months with a dental hygienist for a teeth cleaning is essential for maintaining your oral health.

When bacteria are left alone in your mouth, they can form a colony on the surface of your teeth called plaque. As plaque sits on your teeth, the bacteria’s natural digestive processes produce a sticky film that will wear down the enamel on your teeth, leaving them feeling rough or gritty. Eventually, a plaque colony will develop and harden into tartar. Unlike plaque, which can be removed with regular brushing and flossing, only a professional dental cleaning can adequately eliminate tartar.

Both a dentist and dental hygienist have the knowledge, tools, and expertise to get into the hard-to-reach area of your mouth to clean them. A dental cleanings are for everyone. Any patient can undergo a cleaning, provided no severe oral health issues are present.

What Happens During A Dental Cleaning?

Before your professional teeth cleaning, the dental hygienist will start by giving you a minor exam. Using a small handheld mirror, the hygienist checks your teeth and gums for any signs of decay,  gingivitis, or any other potential issues. If they discover any oral health problems  that may interfere with or be worsened by the cleaning, the hygienist will consult with a dentist before proceeding with your cleaning.

Once the examination is finished, the hygienist will begin the cleaning by removing any hard mineral buildup, plaque, and tartar. They will use a small scraping tool called a periodontal scaler to scour the buildup from your teeth. You may be given a local or topical anesthetic beforehand to help reduce discomfort from the procedure, particularly if you need a thorough clean.

Next, the dental hygienist will gently polish the surface of your teeth with a high-powered electric toothbrush and a gritty prophylactic paste. While the paste may taste and smell similar to store-bought toothpaste, it’s a special mixture that contains abrasive compounds to scrub your enamel thoroughly.

After your teeth have been cleaned and polished, the hygienist will finish up by flossing between your teeth to remove any debris the initial cleaning would’ve missed. Finally, they will rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthrinse to kill any remaining bacteria, help freshen your breath, and flush out loose food particles. 

Overall, the entire teeth cleaning process takes about an hour, depending on how thorough the hygienist has to be. Of course, if you’ve maintained your oral hygiene, the appointment will go much faster than if not.  

How Often Should You Go For A Cleaning?

It would be best if you visited the dentist for a professional cleaning every six months. . \Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings if they feel you are at a higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, or any other oral problems.

Does Dental Cleaning Affect Other Aspects Of Your Health?

Except for physical trauma, a buildup of bacteria and acid on your teeth and gums cause the vast majority of oral health issues. Brushing and flossing will go a long way in helping prevent these problems, but only with a thorough dental cleaning can you be sure that your teeth are as healthy as possible.

But it’s not just your teeth and gums that benefit from a dental cleaning. If bacteria are left unchecked for too long, it can lead to extensive decay which can cause abscesses and infections. These conditions can quickly become systemic, getting into your bloodstream and affecting other parts of your body.

In addition, a healthy smile does a lot to help improve your confidence. When you feel confident, your mental health also benefits. So, dental cleanings are suitable for more than just your mouth. They can also do good for your entire body.

How Can You Continue To Maintain Your Oral Health Between Cleanings?

Though at-home cleaning alone isn’t enough to guarantee that your teeth and gums are free from plaque, tartar, and gingivitis, it is a vital part of oral hygiene. Following a professional cleaning, it’s even more critical that you engage in daily brushing and flossing. Also be sure to use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.

Furthermore, avoid overly sugary or acidic food and drink, especially in the days immediately following your appointment. After your cleaning,, your teeth may be more sensitive for a temporary period of time. There will also be more open crevices for food particles to become trapped, so take care when eating anything highly chewy. 

Your dentist or dental hygienist will recommend the best way to care for your teeth and gums between appointments.

Trust The Professionals With Your Oral Health

The good people of Charlotte, NC, know that one of the secrets to oral health is keeping your teeth and gums clean. Doing so requires brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist and dental hygienist regularly. That’s why Dr. Carli Warden and the team at Luminous Dental are here to share their expertise and offer care of the highest quality. In addition, they dedicate themselves to education to ensure that they are well-versed in the most advanced techniques and technologies, while making every patient feel welcome and comfortable in their office.

Please get in touch with us today if you would like to schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning.