Dental Cleanings

Dental cleanings are typically done by your hygienist. Dentists recommend getting a cleaning every six months, though many people let time slip by between cleanings without being aware of the potential consequences.

Dental Cleanings And Why You Need Them

Types Of Dental Cleanings

All dental cleanings have the same overall goal – to clean the teeth – but are performed differently and have specific aims.

Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis is the routine cleaning most of us are familiar with. During prophylaxis, plaque, calculus, and surface level staining is removed. Regular prophylaxis cleanings won’t repair damaged teeth, but can help prevent damage from occurring in the first place by maintaining oral health. A prophylaxis cleaning is usually performed by a qualified dental hygienist.

Scaling And Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a deeper cleaning. Scaling and root planing is typically done for patients who are at greater risk of developing gum disease or have gum disease present already. When a lot of plaque builds up without being properly cleaned off, it can become tartar or calculus. As a result, many patients begin to suffer from gum disease, the signs of which can include bleeding gums, swollen gums, and loose teeth. During scaling and root planing, the tartar and calculus is scraped from the teeth as well as above and below the gumline by a professional hygienist.

Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is a deep cleaning that is usually performed every four to six months when oral health problems have been identified. As with prophylaxis and scaling and root planing, the plaque, tartar, calculus, and staining is removed from the teeth and above and below the gumline by a qualified hygienist. Next, your hygienist will do a thorough exam of the pockets of the gums, looking for inflammation. The areas are flushed with antiseptic to get rid of any infection and control inflammation.

Gross Debridement

Unlike prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, and periodontal maintenance, gross debridement is usually performed by a dentist rather than a hygienist. Gross debridement usually seeks out any problems that were not detected before the cleaning, usually when regular cleanings haven’t been performed for longer than recommended allowing a lot of hardened plaque to build up on the teeth. The dentist will need to work thoroughly and carefully to remove all of the build up on the teeth and gums.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Get Dental Cleanings

It can seem a bit much to fit dental cleanings in every six months, but skipping your regular cleanings can lead to serious health complications. Though everything may seem to be fine and healthy on the surface, you could have unseen complications that would be identified early with regular dental cleanings.

Cavities

Cavities are often caused by an excess buildup of plaque not being cleaned away. Regular dental cleanings will prevent cavities, but will also help spot any the may have formed early on before they have had the chance to cause pain or other complications.

Gum Disease

Many people never even think about their gums or gum health until they start to experience pain, swelling, or bleeding. Unfortunately, gum disease can be present even when your gums feel completely fine, and would only be picked up by a professional dentist or hygienist during a cleaning. Gum disease can easily lead to periodontal disease if left untreated, early detection of gum disease can save you a lot of serious complications down the line.

Plaque Build Up

Brushing and flossing, even when done regularly and religiously, can only do so much when it comes to cleaning your teeth. Plaque still builds up, especially in difficult to reach areas or spots that you subconsciously don’t pay attention to. Plaque buildup turns to calculus and tartar when not removed, both of which can only be removed by specialized tools by a dentist or hygienist during your dental cleanings.

Bad Breath

There can be many causes of bad breath, but it can often be prevented if you keep up with regular cleanings. The most common causes of bad smelling breath include bacteria, plaque, and tartar building up in the mouth. Bad breath can be off putting to those around you and cause your self confidence to take a knock. Bad breath can also be an early sign of periodontal disease, so it should not be taken lightly or simply masked with breath fresheners.

Loss Of Teeth

Gum disease, serious cavities and the other complications that occur with plaque, tartar, and calculus buildup can lead to tooth decay periodontal disease, and eventual tooth loss. Adult tooth loss can be embarrassing, but can also lead to further complications such as tooth migration, speech problems, difficulty eating, and damage to the jawbone. Not to mention the expense of tooth replacement procedures such as dentures or dental implants that will be necessary in order to keep living a normal life.

Risk Of Oral Cancer

Every time you visit your dentist or dental hygienist for a cleaning, they do a thorough exam too. During this exam, they will perform a thorough screening for oral cancer. Early stages of oral cancer can be easy to miss yourself, and early detection is often crucial when it comes to cancer, so putting off going for a dental cleaning can have disastrous consequences.

Abscess And Infection

Long periods of time between dental cleanings can allow simple cuts, scratches, or cavities to form into abscesses and infections. These can easily go unnoticed in their early stages, especially when you’re not looking for signs of them. Abscesses and infections can sometimes only be detected during an x-ray during your checkup and can go on to spread to other parts of your mouth. When the infection sets in, it can cause pain and lead to further health concerns that will require further (often expensive) courses of treatment including dental procedures and antibiotics.

Risk Of Overall Health

Many people are under the impression that skipping dental cleanings will have consequences that are localized to only the mouth. This simply is not so. Skipping dental cleanings has been linked to serious further health concerns throughout the entire body. These serious health complications can include missing early detection of oral cancer, hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure, and heart disease, meaning that you will miss your window for early treatment options before the issue becomes severe.

The Importance Of Dental Cleanings

Making a point of keeping up with regular dental cleanings has many benefits. Firstly, they keep your teeth looking good aesthetically by removing staining and buildup. Regular brushing and flossing is https://canadianpharmacy365.net/ essential for good oral health, but some types of buildup can only be removed by specialized dental tools. Going for regular dental cleanings typically reduces your risk of health complications, reducing your overall cost of healthcare.

Visit Awesome Smiles For Professional Hygienist Services And Dental Care

At Awesome Smiles, each member of our team is professional and empathetic, offering a dental experience that is stress free. Our hygienist is qualified and well trained, the top choice for your dental cleanings and keeping your teeth in good shape.

To get in touch with an industry-leader in dentistry, contact Awesome Smiles today. You are welcome to give us a call at (954) 973-5798 or fill out our convenient online form.

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Jessica S.

15:03 07 Dec 24

Awesome Smiles is by far the best office I've experience. Being in the dental field myself, I can appreciate the professionalism of the office. The dentist and hygienist are very thorough and detailed. I look forward to coming in for my routine checkups and have made Awesome Smiles my home...

Nojan J.

19:43 02 Dec 24

If I could give Awesome Smiles negative stars, I would. My experience here was an absolute train wreck, and it all comes down to the rude and incompetent Patricia Viriato.

First, I was told I needed a deep cleaning, and this so-called "professional" had the nerve to claim my insurance would only cover a measly 20%. When I called my insurance directly, they informed me I was actually covered for 85%—what a shocker! When I confronted Patricia about her blatant lie, she just doubled down, insisting it was still 20%. It was like talking to a wall made of ignorance.

Feeling pressured and trapped, I reluctantly agreed to fork over $900 upfront, believing I could get reimbursed later. They even coerced me into making a down payment right then and there.

To make matters worse, my insurance denied the claim because Awesome Smiles didn’t even perform the necessary periodontal charting. Seriously, how incompetent can one office be?

When I returned to demand a refund, Patricia acted as if I was the problem. Her attitude was dismissive and infuriating. She couldn’t accept that she messed everything up. After I insisted on speaking to a manager, I was finally told they would process a refund—but honestly, it felt like they were just trying to brush me off.

Do yourself a favor and avoid Awesome Smiles like the plague. Patricia is a prime example of everything wrong with customer service—rude, uninformed, and completely unhelpful. Save your time, money, and sanity—go anywhere else!

Alberti O.

18:43 14 Nov 24

Amy did a fabulous job I will never go anywhere else Awesome Smiles is family thank you so much ! I love it !

Eduardo O.

14:48 11 Nov 24

Thank you Awesome Smiles for the top quality service. Dr. Kim L. is very kind and professional when doing your treatment and makes you feel very good.

Faith K.

23:21 02 Oct 24

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Isabelle and Ana! They made me feel so comfortable during my visits, which was a relief since I was a bit nervous about the amount of work I needed done. They turned what could have been a stressful experience into a wonderful one, and I truly appreciate it. They also worked with my busy schedule, and the front desk staff was incredibly friendly. I highly recommend this place—everyone I interacted with was just fantastic!

Vertina Y.

11:42 05 Sep 24

My visits here have been great! Friendly, kind staff and they made me feel comfortable from the start to finish. The service quality is truly exceptional! I'm very happy with my visits! Dental assistant Manny is very attentive and kind!
The only exception is I wish if they promise incentives to their patients for bringing new patients that they would follow through on their promise.

Latoya F.

01:31 04 Sep 24

I am literally the biggest baby when it comes to having to go to the dentist. I am just always so nervous and scared of any and everything. The staff and doctors at Awesome Smiles totally put me at ease. I felt greeted and like a VIP from the moment I walked in the door. Dr Isabelle Morris was my Doctor and she was very patient very understanding and kept me at ease the entire time. This has been my most memorable experience at a dentist's office and I feel encouraged to follow my treatment plan. I would definitely recommend this office and will be bringing my entire family here. Another great thing is their hours of operation 8am to 8pm so so convenient. Highly Recommended.. Latoya

Howard B.

01:31 30 Aug 24

I can't say enough about the fabulous experience I had with Dr. Michelle Luis. A true professional in every sense, she is compassionate, empathetic, and possesses a gift that immediately puts you at ease. Her treatment approach is truly collaborative, and she never pressured me to proceed until I was ready to do so. Her skill is unmatched, attention to detail is unparalleled, and - as someone who loathes visiting the dentist - possesses such a gentle touch, that I was never reminded that I was sitting in a dentist's chair. A finer dental experience I have yet to experience. If anyone were to ask, I would certainly recommend they see Dr. Michelle Luis as quickly as they can.

michelle E.

01:23 19 Mar 22

This dentist office are the best. They work to get you approved for some loan programs. Like me I didn't have the money to fix my teeth.I was in bad shape for years until I went to their establishment. Very professional and high tech, speedy service, great team work. Most of all the save you out of pocket money.

Try them trust me you won't regret it Thanks staff for taking care of my smile and saving me thousands of dollars.

Austin S.

03:24 18 Feb 22

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16:31 31 Jan 22

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00:26 18 Jan 22

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Dental Cleanings