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A wise person once said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Like daily dental home care, routine teeth cleanings in Santa Maria are vital for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and strong. We recommend seeing a dental hygienist at Santa Barbara Family Dentistry every six months for a professional cleaning and check-up.

Why Do I Need Dental
Cleanings in Santa Maria?

Why Do I Need Dental
Cleanings in Santa Maria?

A dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is a procedure where a dental professional removes tartar build-up and evaluates the health of your gum tissue.

Daily brushing and flossing are needed to remove plaque and prevent tartar build-up. However, even the best brushers and flossers aren’t able to remove every bit of plaque – especially if they have crowded or crooked teeth or wisdom teeth that are hard to reach and keep clean. Some people have dexterity issues, which make it hard to clean their teeth thoroughly.

When plaque isn’t removed, it eventually hardens and turns into tartar or calculus. Tartar is impossible to remove with a toothbrush and floss. Only a dental professional with special instruments can safely and effectively remove tartar.

Why Do I Need Dental Cleanings in Santa Maria Image.

Why Do I Need More Than One Teeth Cleaning Per
Year from Santa Barbara Family Dentistry?

Why Do I Need More Than One Teeth Cleaning Per Year from Santa Barbara Family Dentistry Image.

Why Do I Need More Than One Teeth Cleaning Per
Year from Santa Barbara Family Dentistry?

If plaque and tartar aren’t removed regularly, you can develop periodontal (gum) disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in the U.S.

Studies have shown that gum disease can also increase a person’s risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions.

It doesn’t take long for tartar to build up or your gums to become inflamed and infected by the hard, bacteria-laden substance. Therefore, most hygienists recommend getting a professional teeth cleaning every six months to reduce your risk of developing this disease.

What Happens During a Dental
Cleaning Appointment?

A professional cleaning involves tooth scaling to remove plaque and debridement if tartar has accumulated. Your dental hygienist will use a variety of instruments with different angled heads to reach all the nooks and crannies to ensure a thorough cleaning experience.

Once the cleaning is complete, your hygienist or an assistant will polish the teeth. The purpose of polishing is that it helps ensure any remaining plaque is removed. It can also remove surface stains, leaving your teeth looking sparklingly clean.

Why Do I Need More Than One Teeth Cleaning Per Year from Santa Barbara Family Dentistry Image.

Does Dental Cleanings Hurt?

Dental cleanings don’t cause pain. Some people don’t like the scraping sound or the sound of the ultrasonic scaler. Listening to music or a podcast through earbuds or earphones can help.

Patients with sore gums or tooth sensitivity might experience discomfort during a routine cleaning. However, we can limit their discomfort with topical anesthetic and desensitizing products.

What Happens During a Dental
Check-Up?

During a periodic check-up, your dental hygienist will measure your gum pockets to ensure their depths are within normal limits. If the pockets are deeper than three millimeters, this could be a sign that you have gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. With a few changes, we can tighten your gum pockets and maintain the health of your gums.

Your Santa Maria dentist will also evaluate your teeth, checking for decay or abnormalities. An oral cancer screening is also performed. If x-rays are taken at this appointment, your dentist will review the x-rays and determine whether you need any restorative treatments.

Why Do I Need Dental Cleanings in Santa Maria Image.

Does Dental Insurance Pay for
Dental Cleanings and Check-Ups?

Yes. In fact, most dental insurance plans cover 75% to 100% of preventative services, including dental cleanings and check-ups.

Keep Your Teeth and Gums Strong with Regular Dental Cleanings

Contrary to what many people think, you aren’t destined to lose your teeth and end up wearing dentures. You can save your natural teeth for a lifetime with good dental home care, periodic dental check-ups, and regular dental cleanings in Santa Maria. Together, we can keep dental decay and gum disease at bay and keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.

Are you ready to get onto the road to excellent oral health?

Contact us to schedule a dental cleaning and check-up in Santa Maria today!

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