TL;DR
- Regular dental cleanings are procedures that help remove excess plaque and tartar from your mouth.
- Routine cleanings keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.
- Taking care of your oral cavity through cleanings and home care, like brushing and flossing, saves you money by avoiding bigger dental problems in the future.
- A regular dental cleaning involves the following steps:
- Physical exam
- Scaling
- Polishing
- Flossing
- Fluoride treatment if needed
- Experts at Anoka Dental recommend getting a dental cleaning every 6 months or more frequently if there are other oral health problems or associated risk factors.
Table of Contents
Why Every Age Needs Regular Dental Cleanings?
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is essential for your overall well-being, and regular dental cleanings play a key role in achieving this. These cleanings remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing alone cannot eliminate, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. By visiting the dentist regularly, people of all ages can address small problems early, avoiding more costly and complicated treatments later.
To understand this better, it helps to know what happens during a regular cleaning, how it benefits different age groups, and how it differs from a deep cleaning. We will also discuss how often you should schedule these appointments to keep your mouth healthy year-round.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
At Anoka Dental, a standard cleaning involves the following key steps:
- Physical Exam: The dentist or hygienist will start by taking a look at your teeth and gums to check for any problems. They will examine your teeth, tongue, and the inside of your mouth. This helps them identify any areas that need extra attention.
- Scaling: Next, the hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. This is called scaling, and it helps prevent cavities and gum disease. They will work their way through your mouth, cleaning each tooth carefully.
- Polishing: After scaling, the hygienist will polish your teeth to remove any stains and smooth out your teeth. They will use a special toothpaste and a polishing tool that feels a bit like a toothbrush.
- Flossing: The hygienist will then floss between your teeth to remove any food particles and plaque.
- Fluoride Treatment (Optional): The dentist may apply a fluoride solution to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities. This is usually a gel or varnish that is applied to your teeth and left for a few minutes. It helps protect your teeth from potential decay.
Benefits of Regular Dental Cleaning
Regular dental cleaning at Anoka Dental offers the following benefits, depending on the patient’s age:
Benefits for Children
- Helps prevent cavities and tooth decay
- Promotes good oral hygiene habits from a young age
- Removes plaque and tartar that can cause problems
- Supports healthy tooth development
- Makes future dental visits less intimidating
- Gives kids a healthy and beautiful smile
Benefits for Adults
- Prevents gum disease and tooth loss
- Removes stubborn plaque and tartar
- Helps prevent bad breath and tooth discoloration
- Detects early signs of oral cancer or other dental problems
- Supports overall health and well-being
Benefits for Seniors
- Helps manage gum disease and tooth loss
- Prevents dry mouth and tooth decay
- Removes plaque and tartar that can cause problems
- Reduces risk of oral health issues linked to aging
- Supports denture or implant health
- Monitors medication-related side effects affecting oral health
Deep Dental Cleaning vs. Regular Dental Cleaning
When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, dental cleanings are an important part of your routine. But what is the difference between a deep cleaning and a regular dental cleaning?
Let us understand deep cleaning vs. regular dental cleaning:
| Features | Regular Dental Cleaning | Deep Dental Cleaning |
| Purpose | Removes plaque, tartar, and stains from the tooth surface | Removes plaque, tartar and stains from the teeth surface and under the gums |
| Procedure time | 30-60 minutes | 1-2 hours |
| Number of visits | Single visit | May require multiple visits |
| Pain level | Usually painless | May require local anesthesia due to mild discomfort |
| Frequency of treatment | Required every 6 months | Required when you have gum disease or deep pockets |
How Often Should You Get a Cleaning?
Our experts at Anoka Dental recommend regular dental cleaning every six months for most people. However, some people may need to get cleanings more often. If you have certain risk factors, your dentist might recommend coming in every 3-4 months. These risk factors include gum disease, diabetes, smoking, or a history of cavities. If you have a weak immune system or are prone to tooth decay, you might need more frequent cleanings.
The best way to know for sure is to ask your dentist. They can assess your oral health and recommend a cleaning schedule that is just right for you!
Useful Tips to Maintain Oral Health Between Cleanings
Here is how to keep your smile shining between dentist visits:
- Brush your teeth: Brush your teeth two times daily with fluoride toothpaste. Do not forget to clean the back sides of your teeth and your tongue.
- Floss every day: Regular flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth.
- Eat a balanced diet: Crunchy foods like apples and carrots help clean teeth by scrubbing away plaque and boosting saliva to fight decay.
- Limit sugary treats: Sweets and acidic drinks can lead to cavities, so enjoy them in moderation.
- Avoid harmful habits: Do not smoke or chew tobacco, since they can stain your teeth and cause gum disease.
- Stay hydrated: Drink 7-8 glasses of water, which helps rinse away bacteria and food particles.
- Chew sugar-free gum: It stimulates saliva, which helps neutralize acids.
- Wear a mouthguard: If you play sports, protect your teeth with a custom-made mouthguard.
- Avoid teeth grinding: Grinding or clenching can damage teeth, so consult your dentist for protective solutions.
Regular dental cleaning is important, but it is not a substitute for daily home care. By combining professional cleanings with these habits, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.
Takeaway
Regular dental cleaning is essential for people of all ages. It helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. By getting a dental cleaning, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and catch any problems early. It is an important part of taking care of your overall health and even helps you be more confident with a bright, healthy smile.
At Anoka Dental, we offer top-quality dental care in a warm and welcoming environment. Our expert dentists utilize advanced technology to ensure you receive the best care possible. Our friendly staff are here to make you feel at home. We believe that routine cleanings should be accessible to everyone. This is why we offer affordable options to our patients. Schedule your appointment today and experience the best dental care in Anoka, MN.
Visit us at 12 Bridge Square, #106, Anoka, MN 55303, or call us at (763) 421-4002 to book a consultation.
FAQs
Can regular cleanings whiten my teeth?
Regular dental cleaning can make your teeth look brighter by removing surface stains and plaque. However, they might not dramatically whiten teeth. Your dentist can recommend whitening options if needed.
What is the 2-2-2 rule for teeth?
The 2-2-2 rule for teeth means you should brush your teeth two times every day, for two minutes each time, and visit the dentist two times a year. This habit helps keep your teeth clean, your gums healthy, and your smile bright.
What are the disadvantages of dental teeth cleaning?
Dental teeth cleaning may cause temporary tooth sensitivity and minor gum pain or bleeding. Some people may feel discomfort during the cleaning. Overcleaning might lead to mild gum shrinking.
What happens if you skip dental cleanings?
If you skip dental cleanings, plaque and tartar build up on your teeth. This can cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, and make your teeth look stained. Over time, gum disease can damage your gums and cause tooth loss. Skipping dental cleanings may lead to more pain and expensive treatments later.
Are electric toothbrushes as good as cleanings?
Electronic toothbrushes clean teeth very well and can remove more plaque than natural brushing. They help keep gums healthy and have timers to make sure you brush long enough. However, they are not the same as professional dental cleanings by a dentist. Electric toothbrushes are great for daily care, but do not replace regular dental cleanings to keep teeth truly healthy.
