When you run your tongue across your teeth and feel that filmy buildup, you know it’s time for your dental cleaning. Despite your best efforts at home with brushing and flossing, there’s nothing quite like the fresh, smooth feeling after a professional cleaning has removed what your daily routine simply cannot. At Beechnut Dental Care, we understand the importance of regular dental cleanings as the cornerstone of preventive dental care and long-term oral health.
Our dedicated team of dental professionals is committed to providing thorough, gentle cleanings that do more than just polish your smile. We take pride in offering comprehensive dental cleaning services that help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues before they begin. With flexible financing plan options available, we work with you to ensure regular professional cleanings fit both your health needs and your budget, making preventive care accessible to everyone.
Professional dental cleanings are part of your typical dental office routine. The cleaning and the examination are both essential parts of preventive dental care, so they’re both included in your visit. Sometimes called scaling and planing, professional dental cleaning refers to your dental hygienist cleaning away plaque and tartar buildup, polishing and flossing your teeth, then giving you pointers about maintaining your smile better at home.
Professional dental cleanings are much more thorough than at-home cleanings. Not only do they remove plaque and tartar you can’t with a toothbrush and polish your teeth, but they also help you improve. Your hygienist will have a better view of your mouth than you would with a mirror, so they have an easier time identifying spots that you might’ve been missing out of habit. They can also make recommendations based on where your personal knowledge or needs fall short.
Deep cleanings are also available, though they are not necessarily a preventative measure. These are even more thorough scaling and root planings, such as for patients who haven’t been to the dentist in a while, who have bad breath, are showing early signs of gum disease, or have other risk factors. In a deep clean, your dental team will use specialized tools to go underneath the gum line, cleaning buildup that extends onto the root of your teeth.
However, getting deep cleanings very frequently can have negative consequences. In rare cases, there are risks of gum recession, sensitivity, and nerve damage, so it’s best to avoid them when possible. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis will help ensure your teeth and gums stay in healthy shape.
Regular dental cleanings are essential for teaching you how to take care of your teeth at home. By listening to your dentist and your hygienist and focusing on brushing your teeth regularly and properly, you can see many benefits and improvements to your health. These benefits include the following:
Regular cleanings and exams are both essential parts of dental care, so we want you to understand the value of your cleaning. At Beechnut Dental Care, we aim to create a welcoming environment and never judge you. We strive to offer helpful guidance and support for our patients, so they feel confident in their ability to keep their smile strong for the long term.
For most patients, seeing their dentist and getting a dental cleaning twice a year is enough. However, some patients need more frequent care.
Patients at different age groups and risk levels may need to come in for more frequent exams and dental cleanings, so your dentist may ask to see you again in three or four months rather than six. You may also start seeing your dentist more frequently, at least initially, if they want to reduce any early signs of gum disease or other concerns that have popped up since your last dental visit.
A routine professional teeth cleaning typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount of plaque and tartar buildup and your individual oral health needs. First-time patients or those who haven’t had a cleaning in a long time may require longer appointments. If you maintain good oral hygiene and receive regular cleanings, future appointments may be completed more quickly.
Most patients find professional teeth cleaning to be painless or only mildly uncomfortable. You may experience some sensitivity during the scaling process, especially if you have gum inflammation or haven’t had a cleaning in a while. The polishing step might feel slightly abrasive, but it shouldn’t cause pain. If you have sensitive teeth or anxiety about dental procedures, discuss pain management options with your dental team beforehand.
Preparation for a teeth cleaning is minimal, but you should continue your regular oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. Avoid eating heavily staining foods or drinks immediately before your appointment if you’re concerned about appearance. Make a list of any medications you’re taking or health changes since your last visit. If you have dental anxiety, discuss sedation options with your dentist beforehand.
After your cleaning, your teeth may feel smooth and clean, and your mouth may feel fresher. Some people experience mild sensitivity or slight gum tenderness for a day or two, especially if there was significant tartar removal. Your hygienist may recommend using a desensitizing toothpaste if sensitivity persists. Continue your regular oral hygiene routine, and you should notice that your teeth feel cleaner and your breath is fresher for several days following the treatment.
While daily brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining oral health, professional cleaning can remove hardened tartar and plaque that home care cannot eliminate. Professional tools can reach areas between teeth and below the gum line that are difficult to access with regular toothbrushes and floss. The polishing step removes surface stains and smooths the tooth surface, making it harder for new plaque to accumulate. Professional cleanings also include a thorough examination that can detect problems early, something that’s impossible to achieve with home care alone.
You can generally eat and drink normally immediately after a routine teeth cleaning, though your mouth may feel slightly different due to the thorough cleaning. If you received a fluoride treatment, your hygienist may recommend waiting 30 minutes to an hour before eating or drinking to allow the fluoride to fully absorb into your teeth. Some people prefer to stick to softer foods for the first few hours if they experience any gum tenderness, but this typically resolves quickly.
Skipping regular professional cleanings can lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar that cannot be removed through home care alone. Over time, this can result in gum inflammation, gingivitis, and eventually more serious gum disease called periodontitis. Without professional cleanings, you’re also more likely to develop cavities, bad breath, and tooth loss. Additionally, oral health problems that could have been caught early during routine cleanings may progress to more serious and expensive conditions requiring extensive treatment.
