While regular brushing and flossing is essential, you’ll still need to have routine dental cleanings by a dental hygienist. That’s because toothpaste can only do so much to clean the teeth as plaque and tartar buildup over time, and they cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. To keep your teeth healthy, you should see your Valencia dentist twice a year to ensure optimal oral health, as recommended by the American Dental Association. During your cleaning appointment, Dr. Al-Samarrai will check your teeth and dental exam your dental x-rays to check for any hidden dental problems you may not know about, such as tooth decay. By putting off a dental cleaning, you risk more extensive and potentially costly dental treatments in the future.
Dental Cleanings
Valencia, CA
What Does a Dental Cleaning Involve?
Dental cleanings, also called prophylaxis, are performed by a registered dental hygienist who skillfully removes plaque and tartar that have built up on the teeth over time. Without twice-yearly dental cleanings, these substances can make the teeth a breeding ground of bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay. Dental cleanings can prevent gum disease, a progressive condition that eventually leads to tooth loss without treatment.
A dental cleaning involves ultrasonic instruments for loosening tartar, a scaler for removing smaller deposits on the surface of the teeth, and finally, the teeth are polished. Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend fluoride during your cleaning to strengthen the teeth.
Any discomfort should be minimal, but make sure to tell your hygienist if you experience any pain, as this can indicate you have an exposed dentine or that your gum tissues are swollen.
Why Routine Dental Cleanings Are Necessary
At Copper Canyon Dentistry, our team is committed to providing the best dental care for all our patients. Our state-of-the-art dental offices in Valencia and Newhall offer the best preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. One of the basic ways to keep your mouth healthy is to have routine dental cleanings.
The many benefits of a dental cleaning include:
- Prevention of further dental issues: Your hygienist and dentist will check for any problems with your teeth, gums, and mouth. During your cleaning, your hygienist and/or dentist is able to detect issues such as erupting wisdom teeth, dental cavities, or a receding gumline. Certain oral problems need immediate treatment, which is often easier and less expensive to deal with an oral problem that has been detected sooner.
- Aesthetics: Tooth stains are often unsightly. You may feel uncomfortable smiling and showing your teeth with tooth discoloration. Dental cleanings can remove coffee, tea, and other stains and restore the natural whiteness of your teeth.
- Money- and time-saving: By addressing dental issues before they become extensive, you can eliminate the need for lengthier treatment plans to address complex oral health problems.
- Fresher breath: Dental cleanings tackle more than the surface of your teeth. It also targets hard-to-reach areas such as the gum pockets and the spaces in between your teeth where food particles could be hiding and causing bad breath. You can smell the difference right after the procedure.