Brushing your teeth and flossing every day is helpful, but it’s not getting your teeth as clean as you might assume. Your teeth need the help of your dental professional twice a year for cleanings. Your dentist has tools that are designed to get deeper into your teeth, gums, and between your teeth to remove more plaque and buildup that can cause additional health concerns. Every six months is the recommended timeframe for a cleaning, and you want to be sure you’re not missing those appointments.
This is not something you can opt to do. It’s necessary for your overall health to see your dentist every six months for a cleaning. Your dentist’s tools give your teeth a deeper and more appropriate cleaning than just a toothbrush and flossing. Of course, you should still brush and floss daily, but your dentist can help you take better care of your teeth if you get cleanings twice a year. Not everything on your teeth is visible to the naked eye, which means you may not be able to keep them as clean as your dentist.
The biggest benefit, aside from a beautiful smile, is that your dentist can detect oral health problems before they become a problem. A cavity found as it’s forming is going to be far easier, less expensive, and less painful to treat than a cavity that’s had ample time to grow and expand. Finding health issues every six months is far better and more manageable than oral health concerns that grow out of control. You have a better chance of saving your teeth when issues are detected right away.
Unfortunately, everyone is susceptible to gum disease and periodontal disease. It doesn’t matter if you follow every dental health recommendation in the world. Your teeth are not perfect, and you might still develop issues. Your dentist can detect issues early on, diagnose them, and help prevent future damage when you go to the office for regular cleanings.
If you’re not sure what to expect when you go in for your cleaning, you are not alone. Many people want to know what to expect prior to going to the dentist, and many people are nervous about what they don’t know. Here’s what you can expect.
Contact Wilson Dental to schedule your next cleaning. If you have any questions, now is a great time to ask what you can expect and how things will work at your appointment. Any subsequent cleanings can be scheduled after this cleaning.
Most cleanings take only 30 minutes or less give or take a few minutes in the waiting room.
The first thing your dentist will do during your appointment is evaluate your health, history, and dental concerns. They want to make sure there is nothing going on in your mouth that might prevent them from cleaning your teeth properly.
During this process, your dentist removes plaque and/or tartar that’s built-up in your gumline.
Your dentist will put a gritty toothpaste on your teeth and use a special toothbrush to clean them. It might feel funny to you, but there is no pain associated. Your mouth is then rinsed out with a water machine.
Yes, your dentist will floss your teeth for you to ensure they did not miss anything.
This final step allows your dentist to ensure your teeth are cleaner for longer period of time, and it also helps prevent future cavities.