What Is A Dental Cleaning?
A dental cleaning, also known as a prophylaxis cleaning, is a routine dental procedure where a dentist or hygienist will thoroughly clean plaque and tartar off your teeth. The primary goal of a dental cleaning is to remove any build-up, bacteria, and calculus that can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. By removing all these disease-causing agents, a professional dental cleaning helps keep the teeth and gums healthy, prevents more severe issues from developing, and gives patients a bright, fresh smile.
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Did You Know?
Getting your teeth cleaned regularly can add years to your smile! Patients who get dental cleanings twice a year have up to a 60% lower risk of heart disease.
How Often Do I Need To Get My Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
Patients are typically advised to get a dental cleaning every 6 months in order to maintain good oral hygiene. A dental cleaning essentially clears the biofilm, acids, and bacteria that accumulate naturally in the mouth from foods, drinks, smoking, and other lifestyle factors. So it’s essential that professional cleanings are done regularly to maintain good oral health. Some patients are advised to come in more frequently — every 3-4 months — if they have a history of periodontal disease or other risk factors. Your Pflugerville, TX dentist will evaluate your oral health at each visit and determine the ideal cleaning schedule for you.
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BENEFITS OF INVISALIGN
Invisalign doesn’t disrupt your smile because the clear aligners are unnoticeable and blend in with your teeth. Even when patients need to get Invisalign attachments bonded to their teeth, these are made of tooth-colored resin that blends in with the teeth and is covered with the aligners.
Invisalign is much more hygienic than braces because you’re able to remove them to thoroughly brush and floss. This also prevents food particles and stains from being trapped in your aligners, since you take them out before eating and can easily clean the surfaces of your aligners.
When patients wear braces, they need to avoid many of their favorite foods that are hard, sticky, or crunchy because they can break or get stuck in their braces. You can enjoy a restriction-free diet with Invisalign. The pressure exerted on your teeth is also greatly minimized thanks to our Smart Track aligners which place gentle pressure on your teeth.
Invisalign is also associated with fewer appointments and faster treatment times.
The Benefits of Dental Cleanings
Our Patients Say It Best
Our Patients Say It Best
The Dental Cleaning Process
Scraping Away Tartar and Plaque
Your hygienist will use a sickle probe, also known as a dental explorer, to find gum disease, plaque, calculus, and cavities. With these sharp dental instruments they’ll be able to scrape off tartar above and below the gumline. This gets rid of calcified plaque that cannot be removed by regular daily brushing and flossing at home.
Polishing Away Surface Stains
Once the plaque and build up has been removed, your hygienist will polish your teeth with paste using a handheld motorized tool with a rubber cup. This removes surface stains from food, drinks, or tobacco products, and gives your teeth a beautiful shine.
Flossing and Fluoride Treatment
Finally, the hygienist will floss your teeth, ensuring that any particles living below the gum line have been removed. The hygienist may also provide a fluoride treatment to remineralize and strengthen your enamel.
Is It Necessary To Have Dental X-rays Taken During A Cleaning?
It is recommended to get dental X-rays (radiographs) done once every 2-3 years. In some cases, we may recommend every year depending on the current state of your oral health, your oral health history, and your risk factors. X-rays allow us to detect cavities, infections, and bone loss that can't be seen during a visual exam. They are an essential preventive tool to identify issues early before they become more serious.
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