Professional dental cleanings are vital to proper oral hygiene. They are typically part of a preventative care exam we perform bi-annually. Every six months, we thoroughly examine your mouth, gums, and teeth for any complex problems. Even with proper at-home dental care, plaque and tartar can still develop, leading to gum disease. A dental cleaning in our Knoxville, TN office is a general dentistry service everyone needs. You should never put it off, or it can lead to tooth problems later.
If gum disease is present, periodontist Dr. Robert Cain has over 20 years of experience accurately diagnosing and treating patients with gum disease. During your comprehensive exam, Dr. Cain can properly check for any signs of gum disease.
With specialized tools and materials, a highly trained dental hygienist will carefully perform your routine dental cleaning. During a professional dental cleaning, we remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. In our Knoxville, TN, dentist office, professional dental cleanings will leave you with a clean, bright, healthy smile.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
Our highly trained and experienced dental hygienists will thoroughly examine your gums, teeth, and mouth. Then, they will start a deep cleaning process by removing any buildup of tartar and plaque from your teeth using a special set of tools designed just for this purpose.
Our hygienist will help you feel relaxed and calm before treatment and will answer any questions you may have. If you feel any discomfort, let your hygienist know so we can make the appropriate adjustments for your comfort.
Next, professional brushing and flossing tools remove plaque and tartar from your teeth that a regular toothbrush cannot reach.
Finally, we polish your teeth with a low-speed rotary brush fitted with a soft rubber tip. We apply a slightly gritty, toothpaste-like gel, and the tip spins around and polishes the teeth, making them smooth and shiny.
A fluoride treatment may be administered to protect your teeth against cavities. Once the cleaning is complete, Dr. Cain will review any recommended treatments.
The Importance Of Preventative Care
Dental cleanings fall under the umbrella of what we’d call preventative care. Cleanings are the foundation of your oral health. While it takes place in our office every time you get a cleaning, you have to dedicate yourself to preventative care at home, too.
Clean Teeth and Gums
Our experienced staff can provide expert tips on the types of oral health products that would be most beneficial for you to do at home. Certain toothpaste or toothbrushes may be better than others, depending on your health and dental concerns.
But preventative care happens both at home and in the office. Our specialized dental tools can clean the nooks and crannies that you may not be able to reach with your tools at home.
If you do just one or the other, not all surfaces will be as clean as they need to be. Even if you think you’re doing everything right, you’re still at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque and tartar build up in the areas that you’re missing.
Screenings
Not only do we perform dental cleanings, but we also do a thorough oral exam. We’re trained to notice the early warning signs of oral health conditions that you may not see yourself.
Many American adults suffer from gum disease, and they don’t know it because the early signs aren’t painful. Typically, the most prominent warning sign is your gums bleeding regularly. We help you know what to look for.
Custom Treatment Plans
Since we can catch things early, we can offer less invasive and more affordable treatment. As with almost any condition, the earlier it’s caught, the easier the treatment plan is for it.
We want to offer you a treatment plan that’s as conservative as possible and that fits your budget. Diligent preventative care also means that you’re less likely to suffer from more serious dental problems.
How to Treat Dental Anxiety
It has been estimated that 3 out of every 10 American adults avoid their regular dentist appointments because of fear and anxiety. Dental anxiety is a condition that prevents people from getting the dental care they need.
Routine dental health exams and cleanings can help keep your teeth clean and healthy and may prevent the need for further dental care, meaning less time in the dentist’s chair.
We offer sedation dentistry options for patients with dental anxiety. You can receive sedation dentistry even for routine dental cleaning to help you feel relaxed during your treatment. Dr. Cain will discuss sedation options with the patients before their procedure.
Dental Cleaning FAQs
Learn more about routine dental cleanings in our Knoxville office with answers to these common questions:
Does a dental cleaning prevent bad breath?
Yes. A dental cleaning can rid your mouth of old food particles, odor-causing bacteria, tartar, and plaque in a single visit. If you visit the dentist at least twice yearly for a dental exam and professional teeth cleaning, it’s difficult to develop bad breath.
Will a dental cleaning make my teeth sensitive?
No. Tooth sensitivity after a dental cleaning is not common. If your teeth become sensitive after leaving the dentist office, it will likely go away after a couple of hours.
Patients who have not been to the dentist in a while may get tooth sensitivity for a few days after their visit. Remember, tooth sensitivity after a dental cleaning is only temporary. The cause of sensitivity may include worn tooth enamel and inflamed gums.
How often should I get dental cleanings?
Professional dental cleanings are an essential part of routine oral hygiene. Most dentists recommend getting a dental cleaning at least twice a year. Fortunately, this procedure is not expensive, and most dental insurance plans cover the cost.
Teeth cleaning treatment at the dentist will remove harmful bacteria that are hidden and hard to reach with regular toothbrushing at home. This deeper cleaning will help prevent gum and tooth infection.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
We offer detailed professional dental cleaning in our Knoxville, TN, dentist office. If you are searching for an experienced dentist, Dr. Cain is available for your oral health needs. Contact us by calling 865-483-6991 or schedule an appointment online.
