Teeth Cleanings
Did you know that brushing your teeth isn’t enough to really clean them, even if you’re good about doing this twice a day? Plaque can still accumulate on your teeth, making professional and thorough cleanings important.
Our dentists in Fort Myers, FL, at Truax Downtown Dental offer teeth cleanings as preventative care to help patients maintain good oral health.
What Are Teeth Cleanings?
These are thorough cleanings that dentists do to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. You may have these substances building up on your teeth without noticing, increasing your risk of decay and cavities.
Having your teeth cleaned at our office means we can remove these harmful coatings from tooth surfaces. These cleanings go beyond brushing your teeth at home for a healthier mouth overall.
What Types of Cleanings Are There?
We offer a few types, depending on each patient’s needs.
These include:
- Prophylaxis or routine cleanings every six months
- Deeper cleanings if it’s been awhile since your last one, such as over a year
- Scaling and root planing if you have gum disease
Why Are Teeth Cleanings Important?
Having your teeth cleaned at the dentist’s office helps reduce your risk of developing severe tooth or gum problems, like tooth decay and periodontal disease. Since oral health affects overall health, cleanings also help improve your wellness.
Routine teeth cleanings lower your risk of needing complex and costly dental care later on, such as having teeth removed or undergoing treatment for advanced gum disease. You’ll also have better breath!
What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?
Our teeth cleanings in Fort Myers, FL, start with scaling to eliminate tartar and plaque from your teeth. We use scalers or other tools to accomplish this.
Once your teeth are free of these coatings, we polish your tooth surfaces to help lower the risk of plaque buildup. We polish carefully to avoid harming your tooth enamel.
These visits may include other services, such as fluoride treatments to help prevent tooth decay or X-rays, so we can check for tooth or jaw problems. You can also use these visits to discuss any oral health concerns you have, such as sensitive teeth or occasional tooth pain.
Do Cleanings Hurt?
Your teeth may feel a bit more sensitive after these visits. You may also have sore gums. But these are minor issues that only cause mild discomfort. You can use nonprescription pain relievers to ease this soreness.
How Often Do You Need Your Teeth Cleaned?
We strongly recommend these visits twice a year. Having your teeth cleaned every six months helps prevent plaque and tartar from accumulating and causing decay. We might suggest more frequent professional cleanings if needed, such as if you have ongoing tooth or gum problems.
Caring for Your Teeth in Between Cleanings
Taking steps to keep your teeth clean and free of food debris can help reduce the amount of plaque that builds up. Our dental team recommends:
- Brushing twice a day or after meals
- Flossing every day
- Not chewing on pens or other non-food items
- Not tearing open packaging or opening bottles with your teeth
- Including healthy foods in your diet, like fresh vegetables and cheese
- Limiting or avoiding starchy, sugary, or sticky foods.
Set Up Your Next Teeth Cleaning Today!
Is it time for a professional cleaning and exam to maintain healthy teeth? Our dental team at Truax Downtown Dental is here to help! We offer routine teeth cleanings in Fort Myers, FL, to help our patients enjoy outstanding oral health.
