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Why Routine Dental Cleanings Are Necessary

Arverne Dental • Jun 15, 2022

Dental cleanings are a vital step for maintaining oral health. Still, nearly half of Americans who have dental insurance skip this important preventative treatment.

If you haven't had routine dental cleanings in six months, you could experience tartar buildup that can lead to cavities and other serious dental problems. 

Your dentist in Rockaway Beach, NY, provides this important and necessary preventative treatment. If you haven't undergone cleanings in a while, read on for an article that will help you brush up on the basics about why this form of dental care is so critical. 


What Are Dental Cleanings?

Dental cleanings fall under general dentistry procedures. The professional cleanings allow one of our dental hygienists to gently remove tartar from the surface of your teeth. 

Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove tartar, which is calcified plaque. Our hygienist uses a special tool to remove tartar. The buildup has to be removed from hard-to-reach areas.

Once the scaling is performed, your hygienist will use a rotating device to polish your teeth. This can leave teeth looking white and healthy.

How Frequently Do I Need Dental Cleanings?

The American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings at intervals that are recommended by dentists. For most patients, this means having cleanings twice a year. Doing so can prevent tartar from building up and causing gum disease and cavities. 

If you have a history of gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings.

Risk factors like smoking, age, and diet will all be considered when we schedule your cleanings at regular intervals. 

In general, increasing the frequency of dental cleanings leads to better oral health outcomes. 

What Happens If I Don't Schedule Dental Cleanings?

Without dental cleanings, tartar buildup is inevitable. Even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque will eventually calcify. This creates brown and yellow areas on our teeth and in the crevices of molars. 

Bacteria can then thrive in these areas. As microbes eat sugars found in your saliva, they release small amounts of acids. These chemicals eventually demineralize your enamel. 

Untreated cavities will continue to grow. As the small pits become larger holes, the health of your tooth becomes jeopardized. Toothaches can follow.

Minor cavities require immediate removal. More serious cavities may require a root canal or even tooth extraction.

Gum disease is another potential problem that arises from the presence of tartar and plaque. Gum tissue reacts to the presence of microbes by becoming inflamed. Eventually, the gum tissue pulls away from the surface of the teeth. This can lead to tooth sensitivity and serious dental problems. 

Our office offers periodontal treatments to address gum disease. If the intervention is performed quickly enough, your natural tooth can be preserved. 

Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings

We love seeing our patients enjoy the many benefits of regular dental cleanings. Here are a few of the most important benefits you'll enjoy after scheduling your regular dental cleanings. 

An Affordable Treatment

Dental cleanings are incredibly affordable. Many forms of dental insurance cover most or even all of the costs associated with twice-a-year cleanings.

This is because insurance companies understand the value of preventing problems early on. Our office offers promotional deals for new patients, so check our website for updates. 

More Attractive Teeth

Dental cleanings deliver cosmetic results. Plaque and tartar buildup can leave your teeth looking stained and dull.

Once our dental hygienist removes tartar and plaque, you'll notice that your teeth look brighter than ever. This may even motivate you to do a better job of brushing so you can retain those results.

No More Foul Smelling Breath

Cleanings deliver better-smelling breath. Plaque and tartar are large sources of bad breath.

Trapped food particles also release foul odors. By removing those unwanted problems, you can improve the quality of your breath.

Peace of Mind

Dental cleanings offer peace of mind. If you worry about unexpected costs associated with cavities and gum disease, these cleanings are one way to prevent those dental problems. 

Cleanings are often scheduled with exams. This means that our dentist can look for early signs of dental problems before they become serious. Treating dental problems early on is always preferable to performing more invasive treatments later. 

After each dental cleaning, you'll know that your oral health is optimal. 

Comfort

Your dental cleaning will be performed with your comfort in mind. Most patients do not require any local anesthesia because cleanings are non-invasive. Most of our patients report no discomfort.

Plus, the entire process only takes around 30 minutes to complete. Simply relax in our comfortable dental chair and watch a television show while one of our dental hygienists gently removes plaque from your teeth. Dental phobia should not be a concern when it comes to dental cleanings.

Savings

Dental cleanings actually save you money. The preventative procedure is often covered by dental insurance. Why not take care of this subsidized or free service?

Removing tartar prevents the need for cavity removal. It all adds up to cost savings for you and your family.

Schedule Your Dentist in Rockaway Beach, NY Visit Today

Regular dental cleanings at the office of your dentist in Rockaway Beach, NY, should be scheduled twice a year or as advised by one of our doctors. The convenience and affordable treatments can prevent more serious dental problems that could be costly and uncomfortable. 

It's never too late to catch up on good oral health. To schedule your next visit, please contact our office online. We offer same-day visits for dental emergencies. 

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