Did you know that oral cavity and pharynx cancer accounted for 2.9% of all new cancer cases in America in 2017 alone? That was 49,670 people. Furthermore, around 1.1% of men and women are predicted to have oral cavity and pharynx cancer. Oral hygiene is, therefore, a critical part of overall health and wellness and as such calls for the same care as other medical concerns.
Regular visits to your dentist can result in getting professional teeth cleaning. But why is this necessary?
Professional Teeth Cleaning Prevents Major Dental Problems
A primary advantage of professional teeth cleaning is its ability to assist prevent major dental problems. When your dentist regularly looks into your oral health, not only are you able to catch oral health issues early on and address them, you can also prevent them altogether.
Professional Teeth Cleaning Helps Monitor Overall Body Health
Certain medical conditions are linked to your oral health. Their symptoms are at times initially evidenced by your dental health before the rest of the body presents them. Such conditions can include leukemia, diabetes, certain infections, cardiovascular diseases and even strokes. Regular visits to your dentist and teeth cleaning helps to notice such conditions at the early stages.
For many people, the process of teeth cleaning is shrouded in mystique and evokes uncomfortable emotions. Knowing exactly what happens during such a process helps to allay such fears and promote better dental hygiene.
The first step the dentist takes is to inspect the current state of your mouth visually. Using a mirror, they assess your mouth to see if any issues of concern are present. Some signs the dentist will look for to ascertain the presence of any dental problems will include:
Plaque forms in your mouth and brushing and flossing regularly help to eliminate it. When present plaque sits for a long time, it hardens and forms tartar. The latter is only removable by teeth cleaning through scaling.
The dentist will use a scaler to scrape tartar off. When a manual scaler is used, you may hear sounds indicating scraping, but that should not alarm you. The dentist can also opt to use an electronic type called an ultrasound scaler. It creates soft vibrations that cause tartar to break up. Water then washes it off.
After scaling removes the tartar, the dentist will use a powerful electric brush and abrasive toothpaste to smooth out your teeth, eliminate any lingering tartar and remove minor enamel stains as well. Smooth teeth attract fewer oral bacteria and less plaque. Note that abrasive polishing isn’t recommended for daily home use as you will wear the enamel out.
The dentist, most times, will finish off with a fluoride treatment. It will help combat bacteria for several months post cleaning. They will put a mouthpiece filled with fluoride gel or paste on your teeth for 60 seconds. Alternatively, they can paint fluoride varnish over your teeth which will become hard when it reacts to saliva.
Regular teeth cleaning is vital for good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth and flossing at home combine with professional teeth cleaning to remove bacteria and tartar. Frequent visits to your dentist are essential in preventing and managing dental issues. At Monarch Dental, we also offer financing and payment plans to keep your dental visits affordable. A better understanding of the professional teeth cleaning process helps dispel fear and promote oral health. Call 1-844-800-7645 today for an appointment or visit our “dentist near me” Zip Search tool and take charge of your oral health.