The Importance of a Routine Dental Cleaning and Check-up
“It’s time for your routine dental cleaning and check-up!”
We’ve all received those friendly reminders from the dentist’s office, and with such busy lives, it’s easy to file that reminder away and promise ourselves we’ll make the appointment later.
While many of us put those routine dental cleaning and check-ups on the ‘back-burner’ in our minds, regular visits to the dentist are something we should all take very seriously. Not only do routine cleaning and check-ups keep our oral health at its peak, but regular dental visits also save you money in the long run.
Because dental cleaning and check-ups are a part of oral health preventative maintenance, you’re helping to prevent diseases like gingivitis, periodontal diseases, etc., which saves you money on treatment costs. And, you’re also able to nip other oral health issues (like cavities) in the bud before they can develop into larger problems. After all, it’s much less expensive to get a cavity filled than it is to get a root canal!
For proper maintenance of your teeth, you should be scheduling in a cleaning and general check-up every 6 months to a year.
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The benefits of a routine dental cleaning and check-up
Dental Prophylaxis is the technical term for getting your teeth sparkling clean and helping to prevent periodontal (gum) disease and gingivitis. There are many benefits to regularly booking in to see the dentist:
With routine dental cleaning and maintenance you enjoy:
Fresh breath – Cleaning away that bacteria means less bad breath.
Beautiful teeth and healthy gums – No bacteria means no breeding ground for disease, and that means your teeth remain stronger and you can enjoy a healthier mouth!
A less expensive option – By taking care of your teeth, you likely won’t need as many repair procedures, which are much more expensive than cleaning and check-ups procedures.
What to expect at your routine dental cleaning and check-up
A trip to your local dentist should be a good experience, which leaves you feeling happy! You should feel that you’re in a safe environment and that the dental team taking care of you is competent, friendly and experienced.
Dental Check-up
After you settle in for the cleaning and exam, a dental professional will check the overall health of your mouth. This can include taking X-Rays while checking for cavities, a plaque and tartar check, and a gum-depth test to check the spaces between your gums and your teeth.
Finally, your dental professional will do a general check of your tongue, throat, neck and face, to make sure there are no obvious issues, such as inflammation, a misaligned bite, or any other signs of disease. Once you’ve been thoroughly checked out, your dental health specialist will recommend the next steps for maintaining peak oral health.
Dental Cleaning
Now for the best part - the deep cleaning of your teeth! Using special tools, your dental professional will scale (scrape away) plaque and tartar build-up to prevent periodontal disease and gingivitis. After this, your teeth will be polished (buffed) to remove any staining, and will really start to shine.
You’ll then get a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your teeth, and for a finishing touch, your teeth will be flossed to make sure no debris is left to irritate your gums. After the cleaning, your dental health specialist will recommend a daily cleaning schedule you can do at home, and send you off with a little ‘goody package’ filled with items to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
For more details on routine cleaning and check-ups, check out our Complete Dental Examinations!
Regular cleaning and check-ups mean a healthier you!
Remember, it’s not just about the health of your mouth – but the health of your whole body. Like a strong immune system and a healthy heart, healthy teeth and gums are important to keep in good working order to be healthy and ensure a higher quality of life!