Teeth Cleanings Dental cleanings should be part of every patient's preventative care. The American Dental Association recommends adults have two cleanings a year. Coupled with dental exams, cleanings can help ensure teeth and gums remain healthy. This is important to the patient's overall health. Serious health issues can be a result of poor oral hygiene. A risk of stroke and bone loss has shown a correlation between oral health and overall health. Schedule your dental cleaning by contacting us at Viva Smiles Family Dental.Why Do I Need a Cleaning?Even with brushing and flossing two times a day, not all bacteria and plaque can be removed. It takes a professionally trained person with the right tools to thoroughly clean a patient's teeth. With proper cleaning, staff can clean the patient's teeth and gums, brightening their smile with polish. Most instances of staining can be removed in a single cleaning. By having plaque and tartar removed from a patient's teeth, it can help hinder the progression of gum disease which can ultimately lead to tooth loss. Gum disease has been directly linked to cardiovascular disease too. While the teeth are cleaned, a patient's mouth is also inspected for sores or lesions that are indicative of oral cancer. Every hour one person passes away from oral cancer. It is of the utmost importance to have early detection for the most effective treatment course. We will also be able to recognize if a filling or crown has come loose or if teeth are badly worn or damaged and provide treatment options, so the condition does not worsen. What Happens During a Cleaning?Cleanings generally take between 30 to 60 minutes. It begins with an examination of the patient's mouth, taking inventory, and updating the records to keep track of any pre-existing conditions to note their progress. During that time a trained professional will clean the patient's teeth using a variety of tools and techniques. A scaler will be used to scrape off the hard tartar deposits from the visible teeth surfaces as well as beneath the gumline and between the teeth. Using an abrasive toothpaste, the staff will brush the teeth to remove stains and brighten the tooth enamel. Though abrasive toothpaste is not recommended for daily use, the American Dental Association has claimed it is safe for trained professionals to use twice a year. We will also professionally floss your teeth too. This is done to help remove any remaining tartar or plaque left over from the cleaning process. This is followed by rinsing the mouth with a fluoride-based liquid. This is done as a last step to remove loose debris on or around the teeth. In some cases, x-rays will be taken too, in order to assess more serious dental issues. If you have questions regarding our dental cleanings please contact Viva Smiles Family Dental at (512) 863-9555. We can take care of all of your dental cleaning needs. |
