Dental Cleanings – Houston | 77090
Houston Preventative Dental Cleanings
One of the most important services our North Houston family dentist offers is regular prophylactic (preventative) dental cleanings. For most healthy patients, a preventative dental cleaning is needed every six months.
During your dental cleaning appointment, Dr. Bastani and/or our Registered Dental Hygienist will:
- Thoroughly clean your teeth of soft biofilm and calcified tartar deposits
- Perform a periodontal evaluation to screen for gum and bone loss
- Discuss modified oral hygiene techniques, if needed
- Polish away surface stains that have accumulated since your last appointment
- Screen for precancerous tissues
- Discuss dietary habits and how they impact your tooth health
What Happens When My Teeth are Cleaned?
Our hygienist uses special instruments that safely lift away calcified bacterial deposits without harming the structure of your tooth. During your dental cleaning, the natural “pocket” just along the gumlines is cleaned with a manual or ultrasonic-tipped instrument, leaving a clean surface that promotes healthy gum attachment.
Why do My Gums Bleed when I Brush or Floss?
Bleeding gums are one of the most common symptoms of gingivitis. If swelling or bleeding does not improve within two weeks of regular brushing and flossing, you may have a more aggressive condition known as periodontitis (gum disease.) Healthy gums should not bleed; when they do, it’s an indication of an active infection inside of your mouth.
Am I Brushing and Flossing Correctly?
Angle your toothbrush towards your gums at about 45-degrees, making short strokes on one or two teeth at a time. Spend at least 30 seconds on each “quadrant” (lower right, upper right, lower left, upper left) of your mouth. For an even better clean, invest in an electric toothbrush and let the thousands of strokes do all the work for you.
Floss at least once per day. String floss tends to be best, as it lets you wrap the strand around each tooth in a “C” shape, so that you can slip it just below the gums. Rub the side of each tooth several times, then bring it up above your gums and move to the next tooth. If you’re not flossing your teeth, that’s 40% of your tooth surfaces you aren’t cleaning! But if flossing is difficult, you may want to opt for a water flosser instead.
If you’re a parent, help your child brush and floss until they’re able to tie their own shoes. Even then, it’s fine to go behind them at least once a day to make sure everything is cleaned thoroughly!
What Happens When You Skip a Dental Cleaning
Preventative dental cleanings help you avoid common diseases like periodontitis, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. But when you skip a dental cleaning, you’ll have heavier tartar buildup when you book your next dental cleaning. While this may feel more tender to have cleaned, the bigger concern is that tartar causes the gums to detach and bone to shrink around your teeth – posing a health risk.
Book Your Checkup Every Six Months
Are you or your family due for a dental cleaning? Book your next visit at North Houston Dentistry today!
