A daily dental hygiene regime will significantly contribute to a new healthy smile and overall oral health. This regime includes regular brushing and flossing of your teeth. When you start a new day with clean teeth and gums, it helps maintain your oral health and bright smile.

Even with correct oral health practices, it may not be sufficient to keep your mouth healthy. Professional dental cleanings once every six months are necessary to keep gum diseases and tooth decay at bay. Gum diseases, if not treated, will get worse and can also lead to tooth loss.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Cleanings?

There are several benefits of professional teeth cleanings that include:

Removal of plaque, a sticky substance containing harmful bacteria that cause your enamel to erode and affect your gums
Cleaning of stains on your teeth from coffee, tea, or other foods and drinks
Removal of harmful tartar and plaque from below your gum line
Detection of receding gums, chipped or broken teeth, and risky tooth infections

Types of Dental Cleaning

Regular Dental Cleaning

Routine dental cleanings will help remove stains, tartar, and plaque from the surface of your teeth and beneath the gum.

Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing

While routine teeth cleaning is sufficient for healthy teeth, patients with gum disease need a deep dental cleaning to address problems below the gum line. Deep teeth cleaning treatments are also referred to as periodontal scaling and root planing. During the procedure, we will comprehensively clean out the plaque buildup and smooth any exposed root surfaces.

Periodontal Maintenance

Once your gum disease has been treated with a deep dental cleaning, we will proceed with your periodontal maintenance as a follow-up for your scheduled cleanings. Our primary focus will be on your tooth roots, gums, and jawbones.

Teeth Cleaning Procedure

Dental cleanings last between forty-five to sixty minutes at our office, Shepherd Dental. During your procedure, our hygienist will use water sprays, small dental tools, and polishes to clean your teeth. Deep teeth cleaning may be necessary if you have gingivitis or periodontal disease.

After your teeth are cleaned, they are examined and flossed. If needed, a fluoride treatment may be suggested as they help protect your teeth from cavities. These treatments may take only a few minutes to perform.

Do Teeth Cleanings Hurt?

A professional tooth cleaning usually does not hurt. Most people experience minimal discomfort when having their teeth cleaned, and any health risks from the procedure are negligible.

At Shepherd Dental PC in 235 E Hildebrand Ave #100, San Antonio, TX 78212 we can help provide solutions to maintain your dental health while transforming your smile. Call us today at (210) 820-0400 to schedule your dental consultation and know more about dental cleanings services.