Don’t Skip Your Next Cleaning!

How often have you put off a visit with your Newhall, CA, dentist to have your teeth cleaned? People often underestimate how important having their teeth cleaned is for their oral health. This routine preventive procedure actually helps safeguard your smile against everything from tooth decay to gum disease. What makes having your teeth cleaned so vital for your oral health?

What Happens During The Visit?

During the visit, our hygienist or dentist will carefully remove plaque and tartar (calcified plaque) from your teeth, using a manual tool, ultrasonic scaling device, or both. Afterward, we polish your teeth thoroughly. The entire procedure only takes a few minutes, but offers a host of benefits. In the same visit we will also thoroughly exam your smile, looking at your teeth for signs of decay and your gums for the indicators of gingivitis or gum disease. We may screen for oral cancer and even look for warning signs of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding).

Preventing Common Oral Health Problems

Plaque buildup occurs over time, the result of bacteria breaking down bits of food trapped on or between your teeth. As bacteria break down these particles, the levels of oral acidity increase and your teeth become coated in a sticky substance. Plaque not only makes teeth stains more visible, but the buildup also irritates the gum tissue, increasing the risk of gingivitis and gum disease. Plaque buildup also weakens tooth enamel, causing erosion that could allow cavities and even dental infection to occur. A routine cleaning removes plaque at regular intervals, protecting your smile from these serious complications. As an added bonus, the procedure has also been linked to brighter teeth and fresher breath.

Cleaning Your Smile At Home

Every six months you should see us for a cleaning. If you have high risk factors for gum disease, then we may suggest one every three to four months. However, you also need to be cleaning your smile at home, which reduces the severity of plaque in between your dental cleaning visits. You should brush your teeth twice a day, once when waking up and again before you go to bed. Each session should last two minutes and we suggest using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. You also need to floss every night before bed to remove what a toothbrush alone cannot. If you have any questions about having your teeth cleaned, or about routine homecare, then please contact our team today.

Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dentistry?

With a preventive approach to oral healthcare, we can help you enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles. To learn more about our preventive procedures, schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.