Dental cleanings are irreplaceable for your oral health. A common mistake among patients is assuming that because you might consistently hear that you don’t have cavities or other dental issues you don’t really need to see the dentist anymore. This is not true. You could brush your teeth after every meal for two minutes, floss daily, use mouthwash, and follow every piece of at-home advice about diet and dental care, and it still would not replace some of the treatments you receive at the dentist’s office. While half of your routine visit is focused on an exam and looking for any warning signs, the other half is focused on prevention. Dental offices provide a variety of treatments that help protect your teeth and gums from decay, infection, and disease. And in many cases, there is plaque or tartar buildup that can only be removed by a dentist.
If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist routinely, they might recommend a deep cleaning. A routine cleaning focuses on cleaning each tooth one at a time and focusing on the area that is above the gum line. These are recommended twice per year and help remove tartar and plaque buildup, especially close to the gum line or to the spaces between your teeth. A deep cleaning is often recommended for patients who are showing early signs of gum disease. Periodontal diseases like gingivitis can lead to infection and tooth loss. A deep cleaning involves removing plaque and tartar that has spread underneath the gum line.
There are many ways to protect your teeth from cavities. Most notably, during your dental visit your dental may recommend dental sealants and/or fluoride treatments. Sealants are done much less often and are usually recommended for kids when all of their adult molars come in. Sealants apply a thin protective coating to the molars because of the natural shape of those teeth which can often be extra vulnerable to decay. Another treatment that can help is fluoride application. These are done much more frequently. Fluoride is known for how it can strengthen bones and teeth and help decrease the chance of erosion. In fact, your dentist might also recommend special fluoride toothpaste if you are showing signs of dental decay or gum disease.
Twice a year at least. It does not matter if you are a kid, teenager, or adult, every dentist recommends at least two visits per year. This is because dental issues happen over time. By seeing a dentist regularly, we can check for any early warning signs before they become big problems. Moreover, cleanings go a long way in protecting your teeth and gums.
All Star Dental has five offices throughout the Chicago area that work with patients of all ages. If you or your kids need to schedule family dental appointments, please contact our team.
