Teeth Cleaning Smiles Plus

ROUTINE TEETH CLEANING
ROUTINE TEETH CLEANING IN SMILES PLUS, CA

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends children and adults with healthy teeth and gums visit their dentist a minimum of twice every year for a routine teeth cleaning appointment. We may advise that you get your teeth cleaned even more often for patients with periodontitis (gum disease) or other conditions.

WHY SHOULD I GET A ROUTINE TEETH CLEANING?

A professional routine cleaning can help to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. It can also help remove stains caused by drinking or eating certain foods. This treatment should be part of your regular oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular professional teeth cleanings can greatly reduce the onset of periodontal disease.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A ROUTINE TEETH CLEANING?

For most patients with overall good oral health, a twice a year routine cleaning is a quick and painless treatment. You may even look forward to the clean feeling and appearance of your teeth that you’ll experience after each cleaning!

Certain factors may cause us to recommend more frequent routine cleanings, schedule a deep cleaning instead, or use anesthesia or sedation. Those factors include:

Waiting a long period in between cleanings
Dental sensitivity due to tooth decay, gum disease, or inflammation of the gums
Jaw pain caused by temporomandibular disorders

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A ROUTINE TEETH CLEANING

Smiles Plus Dental Care, we want you to fully understand what you should expect during the teeth cleaning procedure to ease any anxiety you may have. Routine teeth cleanings are generally performed by a dental hygienist or another professional at the office. First, we will do an exam. Then, we will remove plaque and tartar, and finish with brushing, flossing, and polishing.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A DENTAL EXAMINATION OF MY TEETH AND GUMS?

Before getting started, we will use a small mirror to look around. This concave mirror allows us to see inside the patient’s mouth and look for any signs of potential issues like plaque and tartar build-up or red and inflamed gums. This prepares the dentist for what they should focus on the most during the cleaning process. If serious issues are found during the exam such as signs of gum disease or cavities, you may require a more thorough exam.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING REMOVAL OF PLAQUE AND TARTAR?

During the next step, we will use a tool with a hook on it known as a scaler. The scaler is used to remove tartar and plaque from the surface of each tooth, as well as near the gum line and in between teeth. A manual or electric scaler may also be used, depending on how severe the buildup is. The manual scaler scrapes the surface of the teeth while the ultrasonic or electric version uses vibration to gently remove tartar and plaque deposits.

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WHAT IS POLISHING AND FLOSSING?

After using the scaler, we will polish the newly cleaned teeth. Stains are removed using an electric tool and a gritty form of toothpaste called prophylaxis paste. Afterward, the patient’s teeth are flossed to help remove any remaining plaque or toothpaste.

ARE ROUTINE TEETH CLEANINGS PAINFUL?

Routine teeth cleanings are relatively painless and shouldn’t cause much discomfort.

HOW DO ROUTINE TEETH CLEANINGS BENEFIT OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING?

Having your teeth cleaned by a dentist or hygienist regularly benefits more than just your oral health. While it can help prevent gum disease and other dental issues, these routine cleanings can also help prevent other major health issues.

HOW CAN TEETH CLEANING REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF A STROKE OR HEART ATTACK?

The bacteria that forms in your mouth doesn’t just cause harm to your teeth and gums. If it makes its way into your bloodstream, it can cause other serious issues such as heart problems or even a stroke. Regular dental cleanings can help reduce inflammation of the gums that is caused by bacteria. And it can also improve the function of blood vessels by promoting healthy blood flow throughout the body.

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HOW CAN TEETH CLEANING PREVENT DIFFICULTIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES?

Diabetes and gum disease are two issues that often occur together. Individuals who have serious gum disease and diabetes will often have a more difficult time controlling their blood glucose levels which can lead to many other complications with the disease down the road. Practicing good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing as recommended and keeping your appointments for dental cleaning can help with keeping your blood sugar levels regulated.

HOW CAN TEETH CLEANING AND DENTAL HYGIENE PREVENT BAD BREATH?

Bad breath is one of the main concerns that many dental patients have. Having bad breath can easily lower your self-confidence and make you feel uneasy being around others. A good dental care routine that includes regular teeth cleanings by a professional can help prevent bad breath. Making sure that you brush and floss daily in-between visits can contribute to eliminating bad breath as well. We may recommend a prescription strength toothpaste or rinse to complete your oral hygiene routine!

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WHAT IS THE COST FOR A ROUTINE TEETH CLEANING?

A routine teeth cleaning procedure performed by a dental hygienist is usually covered by health insurance, but we will go over all out of pocket costs as well as our payment options with you!