The Importance of Professional Teeth Cleaning

You brush and floss daily and you visit New York Dental Health twice a year, yet nothing ever happens to your teeth — no cavities and no gum disease. Is this routine really that important? 

Yes, it is. If you’re visiting the dentist only for checkups and cleaning, you’re living proof of the success of the system. Without professional dental cleanings, your daily home care isn’t enough to stop the progress of plaque and tartar. 

Today, let’s look at the importance of professional teeth cleaning, what it accomplishes and how it helps you maintain your oral health. 

What to expect from a professional dental cleaning

Your appointment starts with a physical exam by your dentist or hygienist. When necessary, we may take X-ray images to guard against invisible problems like damage or decay. Otherwise, we use a dental mirror and small instruments for probing. 

The bulk of your time in the dental chair goes for plaque and tartar removal. Plaque is a pasty, sticky substance that forms from food debris and saliva, providing a haven for bacteria. Tartar is simply hardened plaque. 

There’s nothing simple about removing tartar, however. It’s like a natural version of concrete, adhering to teeth at or below the gumline, creating a bacterial habitat and collecting additional plaque. 

We use a tool called a scaler to chip through and remove tartar. There’s nothing you can do at home to remove this buildup. 

After scaling comes a polishing process. You’ll recognize this from the gritty toothpaste we use, as well as the special applicator. It’s an abrasive process that’s safe to do at your cleaning appointments, though it would cause too much tooth erosion if performed more often. 

Your hygienist then flosses between your teeth to assure that we loosen and remove all debris from your cleaning session. You have a chance to rinse before we finish up with a quick fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel. 

Preventing complications

Your professional cleaning keeps your mouth healthy, guarding against tooth decay and gum disease. In its earliest stages, gum disease presents in a mild but reversible form, called gingivitis.  

It can cause inflammation and redness in your gums that might be sore or tender to touch. When you brush and floss, you might notice bleeding from the gums, and bad breath could persist. 

Your regular cleanings can stop gingivitis before it advances to periodontitis, which can spread infection through your body as well as weaken connective tissue that holds your teeth in place. Over 42% of adults over age 30 have some level of active gum disease. 

If you’re overdue for a professional cleaning, contact New York Dental Health at the nearest of our seven locations to book an appointment by phone or online today.