Professional dental cleanings play an important role in good dental health. Regular teeth brushing and flossing keep plaque and bacteria under control on a daily basis, yet no matter how clean you keep your teeth, you can still miss some areas, especially along the gumline and in the back of your mouth. Plaque that is not regularly cleaned away can quickly begin to harden into tartar, a deposit that can irritate your gums and create more surface area upon which bacteria can grow, increasing the risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay.
Professional dental cleanings are intended to gently remove this tartar buildup and polish your teeth, eliminating superficial stains and leaving a smoother surface, upon which it is harder for bacteria to adhere. In addition, your dentist will take the time to examine your mouth for symptoms of dental disease, changes in oral health and check that all your restorations are intact. This exam may include dental X-rays as well so that your dentist can look for changes invisible to the naked eye, usually between the teeth or below the gumline, where cavities, bone loss or gum disease can severely affect your oral health if they are not diagnosed and treated suitably.
Many people are advised to see their dentists for professional cleanings and comprehensive dental exams twice a year. If you maintain good dental hygiene on a daily basis, this should be sufficient to remove any plaque and tartar development that accumulates and allow your dentist to monitor your oral health. Your dentist will use special tools to remove tartar from above and below the gumline, make recommendations based on your health history and personal preferences, and discuss your treatment options, if required.
Smokers, diabetics and pregnant women are all more prone to developing periodontal disease, which is associated with a number of serious health risks. They may be advised to seek more frequent dental cleanings in order to help lower the risk of periodontal disease as well as help increase their dentists' ability to diagnose any dental diseases early and create a treatment regimen.
Those with active gum disease and a history of dental caries, or decay, can also take advantage from more frequent cleanings and regular treatment monitoring. Their dentists can tweak their treatment regimen as needed and provide thorough cleanings that remove plaque, tartar and bacteria development in order to create an optimal healing environment.
Those with weakened immune systems and certain other health conditions may also benefit from a customized treatment schedule. Your health situation is unique, which is why it is crucial that you discuss your health history thoroughly and accurately with your dentist at each exam, along with any new health conditions or medications so that your dental cleaning schedule can be adjusted accordingly.
At Wilshire Dental Care, Los Angeles Dental Office our Los Angeles dentists can provide you with regular checkups and cleaning and any other dental treatment you may need.