Good dental care includes regular professional teeth cleaning. With this simple procedure and proper oral care, you and your dentist can help ensure your teeth last a lifetime. These questions and answers below might help you prepare for your next dental checkup.

A Guide to Teeth Cleaning

How often do I need professional teeth cleaning?

The American Dental Association® recommends seeing a dentist for an exam and professional teeth cleaning at least once or twice a year. You may need cleanings more often if you have had periodontal disease, which is gum disease, or another oral condition.

How do dental cleanings help me?

Each cleaning helps you maintain a bright smile, healthy teeth and gums, and fresh breath; it also reduces the risk of gum disease. Untreated periodontal disease can lead to more expensive treatments such as deep cleaning, gum grafting, bone grafting, or replacing a tooth.

What should I expect during the procedure?

Cleanings usually take less than an hour, and they don’t hurt. Dentists use special tools to remove tartar and scrape any plaque from your teeth. The procedure includes cleaning and polishing that removes bacteria biofilm that’s on and between your teeth. You may need a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth from decay.

Do I need to do maintenance afterward?

The best maintenance is brushing and flossing your teeth each morning and before you go to bed. If you can, brush and floss after each meal. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid bleeding gums and sensitive teeth. Rinsing your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouthwash and changing your toothbrush every two or three months helps maintain good oral health until you visit the dentist again.

Middle Georgia residents obtain professional teeth cleaning at Dentistry at Houston Lake in Perry, GA. Dr. Michael Kinsley and Dr. Joshua Guley are experienced dentists offering affordable general and cosmetic dentistry services including routine cleaning. These dental professionals focus on providing high-quality personalized service to each patient. Exam rooms decorated with Hollywood classic themes that help adults and children relax during treatments. Keep your teeth and gums at their best. Visit the dentists’ website for more information and call (478) 987-1441 for an appointment.