Regularly scheduled dental cleanings are a means of providing preventative dental care, which is incredibly important for maintaining the overall health of your teeth and addressing any concerns very early on. Preventative care allows for any concerns to be caught and treated early, allowing for much easier treatments to be done that are more affordable and less severe than if a problem is left to develop and worsen. Regular dental cleaning will help to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and any other oral health issues, and leads to a decreased risk of losing teeth as you age. Dental professionals can also help to remove and prevent staining, allowing for whiter smiles with regular cleanings. Another reason that emphasizes the importance of dental cleanings is that gum disease is closely linked to cardiovascular disease, meaning preventing gum disease can also reduce the chances of suffering from strokes or deadly heart attacks.

Most dental checkups will start with a thorough cleaning, scraping off any plaque or tartar that has built up on the teeth, flossing, and often a fluoride treatment. This process is also used to check the teeth, gums, and mouth for anything of note or concern to ensure your overall oral health. This cleaning is typically done by a dental hygienist. Once the initial cleaning is complete, your dentist will come in and do a quick look-through of your mouth to double-check that everything looks good, and then will spend some time chatting with you about your general and oral health to see if you have any concerns or questions regarding your teeth, gums, or mouth since your previous checkup. Your dentist will also ask questions regarding your overall health and if you have any habits that may be influencing your oral health, such as smoking or alcohol use, your diet, and what your dental hygiene routine may look like. Once the checkup is complete, they will likely schedule the next appointment with you to make sure that you keep receiving your regular check-ups and cleanings.

There are four common types of dental cleanings; prophylaxis dental cleaning, periodontal maintenance cleaning, scaling and root planing cleaning, and gross debridement cleaning. Prophylaxis dental cleanings are the regular cleanings that most patients will be familiar with, as it is the preventative cleaning that is typically done at a dental check-up. This type of cleaning is used to prevent gum disease or tooth decay by removing any built-up plaque and tartar anywhere on the teeth. Periodontal maintenance cleaning also focuses on the removal of plaque and tar but specifically from the tooth surface, gum pockets, and also the roots of the teeth if required. This type of cleaning also helps to prevent gum disease. Scaling and root planing cleanings are also considered deep cleaning for the teeth and gums typically used to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. Gross debridement cleanings are considered the most intensive of dental cleanings, typically used to scrape off heavier-duty plaque and tartar build-up on patients who have either struggled in maintaining a proper oral health care routine or have not been able to visit a dentist in a while.

At the very least, annual dental check-ups and cleanings are necessary for maintaining proper oral hygiene and to prevent the development of any oral disease, but it is highly recommended that you go every 6 months for a professional cleaning to avoid significant build-up of tartar and plaque.

For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 3620 S Bristol St Suite 307, Santa Ana, CA 92704. We serve patients from Santa Ana CA, Orange CA, Garden Grove CA, Westminster CA, Anaheim CA, Irvine CA,  Lakewood CA, Costa Mesa CA, and South Coast metro areas.