Whether recently or in the past, there is a good chance that your dentist has invited you to make an appointment for a professional dental cleaning. It is also highly likely that you will have overlooked or actively avoided scheduling the visit. After all, you brush and floss your teeth at home, so why would you need to attend an appointment for your dentist or hygienist to clean them for you? Well, you may be surprised to learn that regular dental cleanings are a vitally important part of maintaining great oral health and hygiene. In addition to this, your dentist may also ask to take x-rays of your teeth on a semi-regular basis. Read on to discover why regular dental cleanings and x-rays are so important.

What happens during a dental cleaning?

A dental cleaning is a simple and non-invasive process that doesn’t require patients to have any sedation. It may be carried out by your dentist or by a hygienist and both will deliver the same results. Once you are settled in the chair, professional equipment will be used to clean the teeth. This equipment is much more effective at removing any dirt and debris from the teeth and gums than a standard toothbrush and floss is.

One of the most important things to understand is that only professional dental equipment is capable of removing the tartar. Tartar, also known as calculus, is the stuff that forms on your teeth when plaque hardens. It is so stuck to your teeth that special scaling equipment is needed to remove it. Although scaling can be time-consuming in patients where a lot of tartar has developed, it is essential to prevent gum disease from developing or advancing. 

Once your teeth are fully cleaned and all traces of plaque and tartar have been removed, they can be polished. This makes them feel smoother, look cleaner and helps to remove any remaining areas of staining or discoloration as much as possible without a whitening treatment. Finally, you may be given a fluoride treatment. This is when fluoride gel is poured into small trays that are placed over the teeth for around a minute. This helps to strengthen your teeth and protect them from cavities. 

What are the benefits of a dental cleaning?

There are numerous reasons why a professional dental cleaning should be undertaken at least once every year. Some of the benefits of this treatment include:

• Teeth are a better color and look more attractive.
• Dental cleanings can help keep gum disease at bay or prevent any existing gum disease from advancing.
• A dental cleaning gives your professional an opportunity to check your mouth for any abnormalities. This is important because many oral cancers are treatable if they are detected early enough. 
• Your dentist can also assess your teeth and mouth for any dental issues such as broken cavities or areas of decay that need addressing. 
• Proper cleaning can help to prevent future dental problems from occurring, which could save you from unnecessary unpleasant symptoms and save you money on treatment. 

Why are dental x-rays needed?

Teeth are a lot like icebergs, and a visual examination of them doesn’t necessarily tell your dentist everything that they need to know about the health and condition of your teeth. This is because as much as two-thirds of an adult tooth is hidden beneath the gum line. When your dentist requests dental x-rays, also known as radiographs, it is so that they can obtain a complete picture of your oral health, above and below the gums. 

There are various different types of dental x-ray, each of which records a slightly different view of your teeth and mouth. Your x-ray will flag up potential dental issues such as:

• Cavities below the gum and between the teeth
• Impacted teeth
• Missing teeth
• Problems with the jawbone such as bone loss
• Decay beneath existing fillings
• Unusual growths or other abnormalities

As such, dental x-rays are a vitally important diagnostic tool and most patients will be recommended to have at least one dental x-ray each year.

If you would like to learn more about the importance of dental cleanings and x-rays, please get in touch with our experienced and knowledgeable team today by calling our offices.