Dental Cleanings: Your Best Ally For Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Dental cleanings in Shelby Township, Michigan, remove plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. Even if you brush and floss your teeth daily, there are areas in your mouth that you cannot clean effectively. Regular dental cleanings like those offered by the team at Dr. Ban R. Barbat remove surface stains and unhealthy deposits to keep your smile healthy and issue-free. We recommend professional cleanings every six months, but some patients may need them sooner. 

What can I expect from professional teeth cleanings?

Professional dental cleanings give your teeth a deep clean that goes beyond what you can achieve at home. Before cleaning, the dentist will inspect your teeth, gums, and other oral structures for signs of decay, gum disease, etc. After the exam, our dental hygienist uses special tools to scrape plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the tooth surface and just beneath the gum line. 

After cleaning each tooth, your teeth will be polished with gritty toothpaste. This polishing creates a smooth surface that discourages plaque formation and gives your teeth a shiny, polished appearance. After cleaning, we expect to see you in the next six months or sooner if you are at an increased risk of gum disease or tooth decay. 

Standard dental cleanings are preventive. Regular cleanings may be ineffective if the dentist diagnoses with gum disease. The dentist will recommend deep teeth cleaning, which is more thorough. Deep teeth cleanings involve scaling to remove unhealthy deposits from the deep periodontal pockets. Root Planing smoothes out your roots to encourage the reattachment of gums to your teeth. 

Is professional dental cleaning all I need?

Professional teeth cleanings are just one part of the equation for maintaining oral health—the day-to-day responsibility of brushing and flossing lies with you. Brushing regularly removes plaque from the visible surfaces of your teeth, while flossing targets the spaces between them that even the most thorough brushing can miss. Your oral hygiene routine may include a medicated oral rinse to eliminate any remaining bacteria after brushing and flossing.

Think of professional cleanings as a way to reset your oral health by removing tartar that can’t be brushed away. However, without consistent at-home care, plaque quickly builds up again, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Consistent oral hygiene is the most impactful on your oral health. It maintains a strong foundation between your professional cleanings, ensuring long-term oral health and a brighter smile.

How should I floss my teeth?

If you floss your teeth daily, congratulations! However, are you doing it right? Here’s how to floss your teeth correctly. Guide the dental floss between your teeth and curve it to form a “C” shape against each tooth. Glide it up and down to eliminate debris and plaque, and be sure to floss both sides of each tooth and the area just beneath the gum line. People who find traditional floss a hassle can substitute it with a water flosser like Waterpik. 

Ready for a teeth cleaning appointment?

Routine dental cleanings are an indispensable component of your dental care. They remove troublesome plaque and tartar to maintain optimal oral and systemic health. Do you need professional teeth cleaning in Shelby Township? Call (586) 551-7255 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ban R. Barbat.Â