Have you been keeping up with your regular dental checkups and cleanings? According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year can improve your oral health. We, at Creve Coeur Advanced Dentistry, strive to keep your mouth healthy and your smile radiant for years to come!

Why Are Dental Cleanings Necessary?

Your routine dental cleanings offer a preventative measure to help maintain your oral health. If plaque is left sitting on your teeth, the bacteria it houses produce acid which eats away at your tooth enamel, potentially leading to tooth decay. Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar, lowering your risk of developing cavities, and leaving your teeth minty fresh and clean.

Plaque and tartar are the primary causes of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. When tartar builds up, your body’s immune system responds, leading to inflamed and bleeding gums. Professional cleanings can treat and reverse gingivitis, which is the mildest form of periodontal disease. If however, gum disease continues to progress, it can cause bone and tissue damage, and may potentially lead to tooth loss. Dental cleanings have been shown to reduce the risks of gum disease, which contributes to your oral health and wellness.

Studies show a connection between many health conditions and periodontal disease. Cleaning your teeth professionally twice a year helps lower your risk of gum disease, meaning you will have less of a chance of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more.

Professional teeth cleanings help prevent bad breath, and will also remove surface stains, leaving you with a whiter, brighter smile. You will maintain good oral health and will potentially avoid costly, extensive procedures down the road.

What Should You Expect?

We will start with a physical examination of your mouth. We will look for any signs of gum disease or tooth decay, along with any other potential concerns.

Our dental hygienist will begin cleaning your teeth by using a scaler to remove the plaque and tartar buildup around your gum line and between your teeth. After scaling, we will use a polishing toothpaste with a dental handpiece to remove stains and plaque and leave you feeling smooth and bright. Next, we will conduct professional flossing to ensure no plaque remains between your teeth and to locate any potential trouble spots where you may bleed at the gums. The last step of your cleaning usually involves a fluoride treatment to help your teeth fight cavities.

Caring For Your Teeth at Home

Brushing at least twice a day and flossing on a daily basis will prevent plaque from building up and hardening into tartar, which can only be removed at a dentist’s office. Caring for your teeth at home will translate into more comfortable professional cleanings because you will not have much plaque or tartar to remove.