Clean and healthy teeth can lead to a happy life. While at-home oral hygiene is a great way to keep your smile healthy, you need regular dental hygiene visits to reach areas inaccessible to home tools. Consistent optimal oral hygiene, coupled with routine dental visits, plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral concerns.
What does a dental hygiene cleaning involve?
Brushing and flossing daily prevents plaque and tartar from building up in your mouth. Unfortunately, every mouth has trouble spots, making it hard for home dental tools to access. Professional dental cleaning or oral prophylaxis uses special skills and tools to remove dental calculus from all areas in the mouth, including hard-to-reach areas.
The dental cleaning procedure is virtually pain-free, alleviating any concerns about discomfort. The process doesn’t even require anesthesia. The dental hygienist uses a dental scaler or ultrasonic device to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Then, the dentist polishes your teeth with gritty toothpaste to give you a smooth, glossy finish.
If you are at risk of tooth decay, the dentist will apply fluoride or dental sealants on your teeth to keep out decay-causing bacteria. Also, if you want to brighten your teeth with teeth bleaching, now is the time to talk to your dentist.
The benefits of good oral hygiene
Optimal dental hygiene removes built-in plaque and tartar from your mouth to keep your smile healthy. At-home oral hygiene and routine dental check-ups offer numerous benefits, including:
- Reduced chance of tooth decay
- Keep your breath smelling fresh
- Lowered risk of systemic diseases like mouth cancer and heart disease
- Reduced likelihood of gum disease
- Preventive dental care is cheaper than emergency or restorative dentistry
If you want to learn more about dental hygiene, visit our Dental Exams in Encinitas page or schedule a consultation.
