Teeth Cleaning
Mesa, AZ  Keeping tabs on your dental cleanings is crucial for overall good health.
Coming into our Mesa, AZ office for your regular professional teeth cleaning can prevent serious complications like cavities and gum disease, which are major causes of tooth loss.
At Timothy H. Kindt, DDS, we will help you learn everything about teeth cleaning and its importance for good oral health.
What Is Teeth Cleaning?
Routine dental cleaning is necessary to maintain your smile.
The American Dental Association recommends that you have a dental cleaning twice a year.
The goal of teeth cleaning is to remove excess plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gums. We will use a high-powered electric brush to remove plaque and calculus on your teeth for a healthy mouth.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Cleanings?
In addition to your at-home cleaning routine of brushing and flossing, you will need other dental cleanings depending on your oral health. Our dental hygienist will recommend one of the following cleanings.
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Regular cleaning - Also called prophylaxis cleaning, this is a preventative cleaning that we will usually perform as a routine every six months. Its purpose is to maintain your oral health. The cleaning removes plaque from your teeth and includes a visual exam, scaling, polishing, and fluoride treatment.
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Deep cleaning - This is necessary when a regular cleaning is insufficient. The procedure targets individuals who have missed several cleanings and have significant plaque and tartar buildup. In most cases, these patients also have gum disease. The procedure includes two steps. We will first remove plaque using a scaler tool. Using a special electric tool, we will loosen and remove tartar from the teeth. Once your gum pockets are clean, we will use planing to smoothen the root surface. This way, your gums can easily reattach to the teeth. The procedure may require anesthesia or multiple appointments depending on the state of your teeth.
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Periodontal maintenance - This involves close monitoring and maintenance of your oral health. Our dental hygienist will recommend this plan if you have gum disease or a systemic issue affecting your oral health. The procedure is done weeks apart, and we will check your teeth during this period. We will also deep clean your teeth or perform scaling and root planing if necessary. |
What Is the Typical Procedure During a Dental Cleaning?
Before scheduling a dental cleaning appointment, you should know what happens during a typical procedure for proper preparation.
Professional teeth cleaning procedures will include a physical exam of your mouth by our dental hygienist.
Using a small mirror, we will check for any signs of gum disease, and if you are healthy, we will start the cleaning by removing plaque and tartar.
Using a scaler, we will remove plaque and tartar between your teeth and around your gum line. Plaque and tartar will accumulate over time, even with regular brushing and flossing; this is why you should consider routine dental cleanings every six months.
After clearing your teeth of plaque and tartar, we will use an electric brush to deep clean any tartar left after scaling.
Professional teeth cleaning relies on special toothpaste to clean your teeth, after which we do an expert floss to locate problematic spots.
We will then rinse your mouth to remove debris and do a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth from cavities.
What Are the Benefits of a Dental Cleaning?
Dental cleanings, besides improving your smile and confidence, are beneficial to your health.
Through regular cleanings, you will protect your gums and teeth from disease. If untreated, gum disease can escalate and cause tooth loss.
Our team will detect dental issues early and attend to them.
Before cleaning your mouth, we will do a physical exam to check for oral cancer, gum disease, and cavities.
If you have fillings or crowns, we will also check their status to ensure they are in good shape.
Early detection of dental issues will save you from additional treatments like root canals and gum surgery.
Dental cleanings benefit your overall health.
Research links chronic gum disease to the hardening of the arteries, resulting in stroke or heart attack. Hence, you will lower your risk of stroke and heart disease by caring for your oral health.
Through regular cleanings, which go a long way in preventing gum disease, you will also reduce your risk of diabetes and kidney complications.
Lastly, dental cleanings prevent bad breath. By preventing plaque and tartar accumulation, you can prevent bad breath.
Teeth Cleaning FAQs
Planning for a teeth cleaning procedure can cause stress if you are uncertain of what happens during the session. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about teeth cleaning procedures.
How Long Do Dental Cleanings Take?
Your dental cleaning duration is dependent on your health. If you have a healthy mouth, we will take up to 30 minutes to complete the procedure.
However, if you have extensive tartar build-up and cavities, the procedure will take up to an hour or more.
Can I Brush After a Dental Cleaning?
After a dental cleaning procedure, you can brush your teeth later in the day. We recommend waiting a few hours for your teeth to recover from the stress.
You can skip flossing for the first 24 hours after deep cleaning and resume after your gum tenderness subsides, usually within 48 hours.
To ensure comfort, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth and be gentle while at it.
Does a Dental Cleaning Hurt?
Dental cleaning is a painless procedure. However, you will feel vibrations and pressure as our dental hygienist scrapes the scalar against your teeth.
If you are uncomfortable during the procedure, inform us, and we will do all that it takes to ensure you are at ease.
Schedule Your Teeth Cleaning with Your Mesa, AZ Dentist Today!
Teeth cleaning is an effective way to maintain your oral and overall health. With good oral practices, you can retain your natural teeth and confidence for years, saving you the need for restorative treatments. If you need teeth cleaning, contact Timothy H. Kindt, DDS at (480) 939-5818 and schedule your appointment. |
