How Does a Dental Cleaning Promote Good Health?
Visiting your dentist for your routine dental exams and cleanings not only reflects on your oral health but also promotes good overall health! Avalon Family Dentistry invites new and existing patients in Federal Way, WA, and the surrounding areas to experience our gentle, preventive dental cleanings. We strive to ensure your time with us is one you’ll enjoy again and again!
How Often Do You Require a Dental Cleaning?
The American Dental Association recommends twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings. However, some patients may require more frequent dental visits depending on their unique needs. After your first appointment, we’ll be able to determine the best frequency of preventive care to help you maintain optimal dental health.
How Do Dental Cleanings Promote Your Oral Health?
Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, lowering your risk of tooth decay, cavities, periodontal (gum) disease, bad breath (halitosis), and even tooth loss! The simple preventive measure helps keep dental disease at bay and promotes clean and healthy smiles. If you’ve not had your teeth professionally cleaned for some time, it’s never too late to start!
How Do Dental Cleanings Promote Your Overall Health?
Plaque and tartar buildup on the gum line and between the teeth is the leading cause of periodontal disease. Gingivitis, the mildest stage of gum disease, can be fully reversed if treated early on when the symptoms are limited to red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a serious condition known as periodontitis, which can destroy the bone and tissue holding the teeth in place, often leading to tooth loss.
Gum disease isn’t just bad news for your smile, but it can also lead to serious problems in other parts of the body. Studies show a link between periodontitis and a host of health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, problems with pregnancy, and more. Maintaining your routine dental cleanings and keeping your gums healthy will reflect positively on your oral and overall health.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Cleaning?
Our dental hygienist will gently remove any plaque and tartar deposits from around your gum line and in between your teeth using a dental instrument called a scaler. Next, a gritty polisher with a high-powered brush will help remove any remaining plaque along with some surface stains. The last step is professional flossing to remove any plaque or debris left between your teeth. A preventive dental cleaning ONLY removes plaque and tartar (calculus) that is superficial or, at the most, 3mm below the gumline.
During your appointment, we will conduct a thorough dental exam to evaluate every aspect of your oral health. We will recommend restorative or preventive procedures, if required, based on your unique needs. Your routine dental visits are designed to prevent the onset and progression of dental disease.
What Is a Deep Cleaning and Why Would You Need One?
Periodontal disease is a silent condition that often progresses unnoticed until it reaches an advanced, destructive stage. When we see patients here at Avalon Family Dentistry, we routinely assess the health of their gums by taking measurements of their periodontal pockets.
Your trusted team at Avalon Family Dentistry will recommend a deep cleaning if you have periodontal disease, characterized by significant gum recession and/or periodontal pocket measurements that are deeper than 3mm. The non-surgical periodontal therapy allows our hygienists to reach the bottom of any “deep pockets” to remove periodontal disease-causing bacteria. During your visit, our hygienists will also “plane” the root structure to promote healing and gum tissue reattachment. Most patients show a significant reduction in the depth of their periodontal pockets.
A deep cleaning typically requires two, two-hour appointments, 2-3 weeks apart. The good news is that periodontal therapy is often all that is needed to keep periodontal disease in check! However, patients with advanced periodontal disease sometimes require surgical intervention by a specialist.
What Happens After a Deep Cleaning?
We will reassess your periodontal health 8-12 weeks after your deep cleaning. The periodontal disease-causing bacteria usually start recolonizing after 90 days and begin to destroy the bone once again. It is imperative that you maintain a more frequent “periodontal maintenance” schedule until your gum health demonstrates that your body can battle the bacteria adequately on its own. Many people have bodies that are more prone to bacteria, meaning they will require maintenance cleanings every three months.
Quality Dental Cleanings Near Me
Contact Avalon Family Dentistry in Federal Way, WA, to learn more about our gentle dental cleanings and how they safeguard your health and wellbeing. Our team is committed to providing exceptional preventive services in a comfortable and relaxing environment. Contact us at (253) 941-6365 or fill out our contact form to request your appointment today!