Teeth Cleaning Archives - Sandquist Dentistry

Top 5 Benefits of a Teeth Cleaning

Methodpro / October 1, 2024

Did you know that regular teeth cleaning is one of the most important steps for oral health? At Sandquist Dentistry, your expert dentist in Las Vegas, NV, we’re committed to helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Let’s explore the top five benefits of professional teeth cleaning in Las Vegas, NV, and why it should be an essential part of your dental care routine.

1. Plaque and Tartar Removal

One of the primary benefits of a professional teeth cleaning is the thorough removal of plaque and tartar. While daily brushing and flossing help keep your teeth clean, they can’t completely prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

During your teeth cleaning in Las Vegas, NV, our skilled dental hygienists use specialized tools to remove these stubborn deposits. This deep cleaning leaves your teeth feeling smooth and clean and helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Prevention of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Regular teeth cleaning plays a crucial role in preventing and managing gum disease. By removing plaque and tartar, we reduce the risk of bacterial infection that can cause inflammation and damage to your gums.

Our expert dentist in Las Vegas, NV, will also assess the health of your gums during the cleaning, allowing for early detection and treatment of any signs of gum disease. This proactive approach can save you from more extensive and costly treatments down the road.

3. Fresh Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect your social interactions. Often, it’s caused by bacteria buildup in your mouth. Professional teeth cleaning helps eliminate these odor-causing bacteria, leaving you with fresher breath and increased confidence.

During your teeth cleaning in Las Vegas, NV, we’ll clean your teeth and provide advice on how to clean your tongue and other oral surfaces where bacteria can hide. This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough freshening of your entire mouth.

4. Early Detection of Dental Problems

Regular dental cleanings can help detect various oral health issues early. Our experienced dental team at Sandquist Dentistry will thoroughly examine your mouth, teeth, and gums during the cleaning.

We can spot early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other potential problems before they become serious. Early detection often means more straightforward, less invasive treatments and better outcomes for your oral health.

5. Improvement of Overall Health

The benefits of teeth cleaning extend beyond your mouth. There’s a strong connection between oral health and overall health. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to various systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.

By maintaining good oral health through regular teeth cleaning and check-ups, you’re not just protecting your smile but contributing to your overall well-being. Our expert dentist in Las Vegas, NV, can provide personalized advice on optimizing your oral care routine for better general health.

What to Expect at a Professional Teeth Cleaning

If you’re new to professional teeth cleaning or it’s been a while since your last visit, you might wonder what the process entails. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you can expect during
your teeth cleaning appointment at Sandquist Dentistry:

Oral Examination: Your dental hygienist will start by examining your mouth for any obvious issues like cavities or gum inflammation.
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Using special tools, the hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and along the gum line.
Professional Flossing: Your teeth will be expertly flossed to remove any leftover plaque or toothpaste from the cleaning process.
Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning: A high-powered electric brush with gritty toothpaste will be used to give your teeth a deep clean and polish.
Thorough Rinsing: Your mouth will be rinsed to remove any debris.
Fluoride Treatment: A fluoride treatment may be applied to help protect your teeth against cavities.
Dental Checkup: Finally, our expert dentist will perform a comprehensive dental exam, checking for any signs of dental issues and discussing any concerns you may have.

The entire process is generally painless and takes about 30-60 minutes. Our team at Sandquist Dentistry is committed to making your teeth cleaning experience as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Ready to Experience the Benefits?

Don’t wait to prioritize your oral health. Schedule your professional teeth cleaning with Sandquist Dentistry today. Let us help you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Your mouth – and your overall health – will thank you!

Teeth Cleaning

Why do Some Dental Cleanings Cost More?

Methodpro / July 1, 2018

Not all dental cleanings are created equal. Find out why some hygiene appointments cost more than others and learn how you can save time and money in the dental chair.

A “regular” cleaning is clinically called prophylaxis or a prophy cleaning and is a preventative measure to prevent periodontal disease. It includes removing plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and just below the gum line. Sometimes, especially if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, the buildup of tartar and plaque is too much to remove with the hand instruments that our hygienists use and, in some cases, requires the use of anesthetic and more than one visit, resulting in a costlier dental appointment.

This is when a “simple cleaning” goes from being a preventative measure to a treatment and maintenance measure. When this happens, you might be told you need a periodontal cleaning, root planing, or a deep scaling. These cleanings remove the tartar that wedges itself below the gum line and irritates and inflames the gum, causing what’s called gingivitis.

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums causing bleeding, red swollen gum tissue, and bad breath. A cleaning and more frequent professional hygiene appointments can treat and usually reverse this stage of gum disease so long as you follow a regular at-home maintenance routine and commit to a strict professional hygiene schedule.

Time to Deep Clean

If gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis. At this stage, tartar builds up between the gum and tooth root creating periodontal pockets that can no longer be cleaned with regular at-home care. A more frequent recare schedule, usually every three to four months, and specialized equipment including ultrasonic scalers can remove the buildup and help the pocket stay clean, so no further damage is done. Think of tartar as a wedge between the tooth and the gum. The more it builds up, the harder it is for you to clean yourself. And the more the tartar builds up, the more the gum is pushed from the tooth. It’s a cycle, and the only way to effectively clean below the gum line is having a qualified dental professional remove it with specialized equipment.

Once periodontitis progresses to a point where the bone starts to recede, it is considered advanced periodontal disease which includes bone loss due to extensive pocketing. This causes loose teeth which can result in lost teeth and a shift in your bite if not properly taken care of. If too many teeth are lost, it can radically alter your bite and cause worse problems than a gap in your smile. At this stage, regular cleanings are no longer effective, and we may recommend one of many procedures to help manage the infection, like laser periodontal treatments, bone grafting, or time release antibiotics placed in the periodontal pocket itself. Each of these treatments requires dedication to an excellent home care routine, so the efforts of your hygienist and dentist don’t go to waste.

An Ounce of Prevention

The good news is, gum disease can be prevented with regular professional cleanings and a good home care routine that includes daily flossing and brushing for two minutes at least twice a day. A little extra time spent on proper home care and regular cleanings can help save a lot of time and money down the road.