Most people know that it’s a good idea to get a dental checkup and clean every six months, but why is it so important?

In this blog, we cover the benefits of a regular checkup and what can go wrong if you neglect your teeth..

What’s Involved in a Dental Cleaning Checkup Session?

If it’s your first visit, the dentist will begin by taking down your relevant dental and medical history, as well as any medications or allergies that might affect the kind of treatment you can receive.

They’ll then check your oral health by examining your teeth, gums, tongue, lips, mouth and saliva for any areas of concern.

Depending on how long it’s been since your last X-ray, your dentist may also X-ray your mouth to check for signs of infection, tooth decay and other medical issues.

Once this examination is complete, your dentist will scale and clean your teeth before applying fluoride and polishing them. A scale and clean removes the following from your teeth:

• Plaque: a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. An accumulation of plaque can cause cavities and gum disease.
• Food debris: Even with regular brushing and flossing, small pieces of food can still get stuck between your teeth and along your gumline, increasing the risk of plaque buildup.
• Bacteria: Microorganisms live inside plaque and can cause bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.
• Calculus/Tartar: When plaque calcifies from the calcium and phosphate in your saliva, it hardens into calculus, which can only be safely removed by a dental professional.

The Benefits of a Regular Dental Checkup and Clean

1. Get Whiter Teeth

Regular dental cleaning removes stains from your teeth and improves their appearance. Your scale and clean dentist will clear away material like plaque and calculus that contributes to tooth staining. They’ll then add fluoride to your teeth and polish them, which further reduces any discolouration.

2. Prevent Tooth Decay and Cavities

By regularly removing food debris and plaque from your mouth, you drastically reduce your chance of tooth decay and cavities. This not only improves your oral health, but it can also save you money in the long run by greatly reducing your risk of needing more costly dental procedures.

3. Prevent Gum Diseases

The most common form of gum disease is gingivitis. It’s an early-stage gum disease and, if detected early by a dental professional, can be reversed with treatment and good oral hygiene. However, if left undetected, gingivitis can progress to the more advanced gum disease periodontitis, which can cause severe bone and tooth loss.

4. Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, occurs when bacteria and food particles build up on your teeth and in your mouth. Regular tooth brushing and flossing play an important role, but a professional clean and scale ensures that even the hard-to-reach spots of your mouth are kept debris-free.

5. Less Expensive and More Comfortable

Your regular dental clean and scale is much less invasive and much cheaper than complex dental surgery, which you may need if minor dental issues are left untreated. Take tooth decay as an example: by getting a regular dental checkup and clean, you greatly reduce your risk of experiencing tooth decay. But if you don’t, the decay can progress and may require a filling, a root canal or even the removal of the tooth and the installation of a dental implant.

Teeth Cleaning Perth at Phoenix Road Dental

At Phoenix Road Dental, we are committed to providing quality, comfortable dental care. That’s why we use Airflow teeth cleaning technology to clean and polish your teeth. This method isn’t just less invasive than traditional dental cleaning practices – it’s also the most effective teeth cleaning technology on the market.

Are you ready for your next dental checkup?

Talk to one of our friendly staff members or book online today.