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You probably already know that you’re supposed to have your teeth cleaned regularly, but what you might not realize is just how important it is for your long-term health. If they aren’t already, teeth cleanings should become a regular part of your healthcare routine. At Mill Dam Dental Care, we offer teeth cleanings in Virginia Beach for the entire family. Here’s why teeth cleanings are so important to your overall health, and what you can expect from them.

More Effective Cleaning

Even if you have a great oral hygiene routine at home, your dentist will still be able to give you a deeper clean. This is because they use special tools to scrape away hardened plaque on your teeth, which you can’t do with a standard toothbrush. They also use a special gritty toothpaste to scrub away any tartar left behind, as well as a special fluoride treatment. The fluoride treatment coats and strengthens your teeth to protect against cavities.

Over time, hardened plaque could cause gum inflammation or even potentially become gum disease. It can also lead to tooth discoloration and keep you from achieving the bright smile you want. Regular deep cleanings prevent all of this much more effectively than just brushing at home. After your visit to the dentist, you’ll feel a fresh, deep clean that you just can’t achieve on your own.

Preventative Care

Screening for serious oral health problems is one of the reasons why dental checkups are so important. These are things you might not notice on your own until they become too painful or severe to prevent. During your cleaning, your dentist and hygienist will look for cavities, signs of gum disease, or even oral cancer. They can catch warning signs for these issues before you likely would, and start treatment early if any issues arise.

Problems like gum disease and oral cancer can affect your entire body if they aren’t treated quickly enough. Catching these problems early can help you avoid painful surgery and other invasive treatments in the future. Getting cleanings now can also be more affordable in the long run than paying for more invasive corrective treatments.

During your visit, your dentist will also walk you through any essential preventative measures you should be taking to keep your mouth healthy. This includes going over your at-home care routine and recommending any new steps they deem necessary. They might also recommend new oral care products, especially if you aren’t satisfied with your current ones. By taking the time for preventative care at your teeth cleaning appointments, you can avoid more serious problems in the future.

Happy Teeth Cleaning

Whiter Smile

Having a bright, white smile can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin. Getting regular cleanings will not only help you keep your teeth clean, strong, and healthy, but they can also help you achieve the look of a bright, white smile.

During your cleaning, your hygienist will scrape off all of the plaque and tartar that can discolor your teeth over time. Getting a professional cleaning once or twice a year will ensure that this plaque doesn’t have enough time to build up and fully discolor your teeth.

If you’re looking to achieve a brighter smile but aren’t sure exactly how to get there, cleaning appointments are also a great time to talk about this with your dentist. They can recommend whitening products or treatments that they think will work for your needs.

Full-Body Health

Your oral health doesn’t just affect your mouth – it can affect your whole body. If you don’t take care of your teeth now, it could end up causing a host of other problems later on. For example, studies have indicated that there is a link between gum disease and cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease. This is because the bacteria that lives in your mouth can get into your bloodstream over time. If you get your teeth cleaned regularly, it can help prevent these issues from happening.

Oral cancers can also affect your overall health. If you don’t catch oral cancer early enough, it can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer also causes a host of other health issues and can require extensive treatment. During a teeth cleaning, your dentist will be able to spot the signs of an oral cancer earlier on.

If gum disease goes untreated for too long, it can cause other issues that are much more serious. It can eventually turn into periodontal disease, resulting in tooth loss and jaw problems that require surgery to treat.

Getting regular cleanings does more than just keep your smile white. It’s also very important for your overall health.

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

Most experts recommend getting a dental cleaning twice a year, or every six months. Getting cleanings this frequently will keep your teeth feeling fresh and clean. You’ll also get the chance to catch and treat potential problems before they happen.

If you’re young and healthy, you will likely be okay with a teeth cleaning once a year. However, if you struggle with more serious dental issues, you may need to come in as much as four times a year. During your next cleaning, talk to your dentist to see what they recommend for you. They can even help you set up appointments in advance, so you already have them on the calendar.

What To Expect From A Teeth Cleaning

Going to the dentist can be a bit daunting, especially if you aren’t used to getting your teeth cleaned regularly. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can help you feel more comfortable. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist if you have any questions – they’ll be happy to discuss the appointment with you and help you feel more secure.

You’ll start your teeth cleaning with an oral exam to identify any potential problems. This is typically conducted by your dental hygienist, but your dentist may step in if there are more serious issues at play. If they do identify any major issues, they may schedule appointments for further treatment.

Then, your dentist will begin by scraping away any plaque or tartar with a special tool. This may be a bit uncomfortable, but shouldn’t be painful. This will likely be the most time-consuming part of the appointment. Once they’ve scraped away as much plaque as possible, they will use a special toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to blast away any remaining tartar and buff your teeth. You’ll usually get to choose the flavor you want.

After they finish brushing your teeth and rinsing away the remaining toothpaste, they will floss for you. During this time, they may coach you on how to floss most effectively and help you identify any problem areas. Afterwards, they’ll rinse again, and then they’ll coat your teeth with a fluoride to strengthen and protect them.

If you are feeling particularly anxious about going to the dentist, consider sedation dentistry. Mill Dam Dental offers sedation dentistry options to help you feel more relaxed during your appointment. While sedation is typically used for more intensive procedures, there are instances where it may be appropriate for a cleaning.

If you haven’t had a teeth cleaning in a while, now is the perfect time to schedule one and get on the path to good oral hygiene. Regular cleanings are so important for your health, and they can also help you feel much more confident and comfortable with your smile. Mill Dam Dental offers teeth cleaning and other dental services in the Virginia Beach area. Give us a call today to set up your next dental cleaning!