Teeth Cleaning
Even with the most stringent home oral hygiene routine, your teeth can be victims of plaque and tartar buildup. If left untreated, these problems can open the door to gum disease and other serious concerns. We help combat these conditions with routine teeth cleaning in Bradenton, FL. With the help of our skilled hygienists, you can ensure your teeth remain strong and healthy.
Benefits of Regular Teeth Cleaning
Some people avoid visiting the dentist unless they have a problem, but routine teeth cleaning can help prevent problems before they develop. Our Bradenton, FL, dentist believes in taking a preventive approach to oral health problems. Some of the benefits of routine teeth cleaning in Bradenton, FL, include:
- Deeper cleaning than you can do at home
- Removal of tartar and plaque
- Screening for more serious oral health problems
- Less risk of serious oral health issues
- Fresher, cleaner breath
- Lower dental care costs over time
- Fewer needs for other more invasive dental services
Additionally, maintaining good dental hygiene can also reduce your risk of serious health problems in other parts of the body. For example, teeth cleanings can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and recent research also shows a connection between clean teeth and your risk of developing dementia. In this way, routine teeth cleanings support whole-body wellness.
What Happens If I Miss a Dental Cleaning?
Life is busy. At Laser Dentistry Online, we understand this. However, we strongly recommend not skipping your dental cleanings. If you do, the plaque and tartar will continue to build up on your teeth, increasing your risk of developing cavities or gum disease. In addition, skipping your cleanings will leave you at risk for more serious oral health concerns, such as oral cancer, because you won’t have a trained professional taking a look at your mouth on a regular basis.
What to Expect from a Routine Cleaning
When you visit Laser Dentistry Online to have your teeth cleaned, you can expect a calm, comfortable environment. We will take you back to the exam room, where we will review your health history and make any necessary updates to your chart. Then, you simply lie back and let us get started. The entire process lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on how much cleaning your teeth need.
Once you’re comfortable, our hygienist will work to remove the plaque and tartar that you can’t reach easily with your home hygiene methods. This includes several steps:
Scaling
Scaling is a process that uses hand instruments to scrape the buildup off the surfaces of your teeth. This process is usually painless, but it’s essential to ensuring your teeth are as clean as possible.
Polishing
After scraping the tartar and plaque, we will then polish the teeth using a special device and paste. This polishing removes any remaining biofilm from your teeth while also removing the scraped-off plaque and tartar. The enamel remains protected, but the process reduces the chances of new plaque attaching to the teeth.
Oral Health Assessment
Throughout this process, your hygienist, with the help of your dentist, will evaluate the overall health of your mouth. If we notice any serious problems, we will recommend preventive care to help. For example, if your molars have deep crevices, we might recommend a sealant to reduce the risk of cavities. If we notice signs of gum recession, we will discuss your gum health with you and provide treatment options to consider.
Fluoride Treatment
For many patients, fluoride treatment is part of the teeth cleaning process. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by adding minerals to the tooth enamel or reversing early decay problems. We can apply fluoride to your teeth using foam, varnish, or gel, which then gets rinsed off before you go home.
Additional Services
Often, when you come for your cleaning, a dentist will also look at your teeth and discuss your oral health with you. Once every few cleanings, we may recommend having X-rays done as well. Typically, adults should have X-rays every three years, but you may need them sooner if you have concerns. Our goal is to find and fix any problems before they become severe, while also providing the education you need to better care for your teeth at home.
At Laser Dentistry Online, we utilize AI diagnostics and 3D scanning technology whenever possible to support our patients. We also use digital X-rays, which help us deliver results more quickly while improving your comfort at your appointment.
How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Cleaned?
Because a dental cleaning can get more plaque and tartar buildup removed than you can easily do at home, it’s best to have one done twice per year. Most dental insurance providers will cover visits to your dentist in Bradenton, FL, every six months.
Some patients require more cleanings than twice per year. If you have a history of gum disease or a family history of serious plaque buildup, you may need more frequent cleanings to keep your teeth healthy. Patients who have significant stress in their lives that is affecting their oral health could benefit from more frequent cleanings, as can those with immune system concerns. Discuss factors like these with your dentist to determine the best cleaning schedule for your unique health needs.
A Patient-First Approach to Dentistry, Including Teeth Cleaning
When you choose our dentist in Bradenton, FL, we will provide a patient-first approach to every appointment, including your dental cleaning. We know that some of our patients are nervous about cleanings because of bad experiences in the past. We will create a supportive, welcoming atmosphere during your appointment while keeping your comfort in mind.
We want your dental experience to be comfortable and convenient. We want to partner with you to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. Whether it’s time for your next regular cleaning or you’re way overdue for one, we are here to help. Call today to schedule your dental cleaning, and take the right steps toward protecting your teeth and your overall oral health.
