What Is a Dental Cleaning?
Dental cleanings are preventive solutions that are important to keeping your family’s smiles comfortable, healthy, and happy. At Made Ya Smile Dental, our talented, caring team enjoys creating positive and relaxing experiences for your family when you visit our practice for dental cleanings. To perform our cleanings the most comprehensive way, we use instruments specially designed to eliminate plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your teeth and to help you enjoy a healthy, bright smile. We also assess your teeth and gums during your visit and customize home care recommendations based on your personal needs.
When it comes to taking care of your smile, daily brushing and flossing habits are only half of the battle. Keeping up with routine bi-annual cleanings at our Houston, TX family practice allows our dentists to routinely assess your oral health and treat any areas of concern as early as possible. For positive dental experiences that create a healthy smile for every member of your family, contact our practice and schedule your dental cleaning appointments today.
Dental Cleaning Reviews
What Are The Benefits Of A Dental Cleaning?
A dental cleaning at our Houston, TX office is a quick and effective treatment. There are several benefits to having regular dental cleanings, such as:
- Improvement of overall tooth health and appearance
- Reduction of plaque and debris buildup
- Ability to elect for fluoride treatment to strengthen and protect teeth
- Prevention of disease that catches cavities or other issues before they progress
Who Should Have a Dental Cleaning?
Our experienced team of general dentists along with the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that patients have their teeth professionally cleaned at least two times each year. Some patients may need to schedule more frequent cleanings, depending on the health of their teeth and gums or other individual concerns. We also recommend that kids take their first trip to the dentist before they turn a year old. During this visit, our dentists can let you know when your child should return for their next visit with our team.
Dental cleanings are important to your oral health and smile for several reasons. The removal of plaque and tartar minimizes the areas in which harmful bacteria can take up residence. Some bacteria in the mouth cause cavities (tooth decay) while others lead to the development of gum (periodontal) disease. All patients should have regular dental cleanings to have plaque and tartar deposits removed from the teeth and surface stains polished to minimize the risk of oral disease and create a fresh, confident, and healthier smile. Maintaining routine cleanings as recommended by our dentists can help reduce your family’s treatment needs and even minimize treatment costs in the long-run.
What Happens During Dental Cleanings?
Our dental hygienists go above and beyond to help make every patient's dental cleaning an enjoyable experience. During your visit, our team will use ultrasonic and hand instruments to gently eliminate plaque and tartar from your teeth. Between visits, plaque and tartar collect on the teeth. Plaque is easily removed with a toothbrush and floss, but tartar (calcified plaque) must be taken off of the teeth with special instrumental techniques. Once your teeth are free from these deposits, we will polish any surface stains for a smooth and bright finish. Fluoride treatments are given at the end of the dental cleaning appointments. We usually recommend fluoride treatments for all kids to help strengthen the teeth and any adults who may benefit from the use of fluoride to help reduce the risk of cavities.
How Often Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned?
In general, dental cleanings are recommended for children, teens, and adults on a twice-yearly basis. Although, if you have received treatment for gum disease, our dentists may recommend cleanings every three to four months to maintain your oral health. During your bi-annual prophylaxis and exam visits, we screen your mouth for gum disease and can provide home care solutions to help your family reduce the risk of developing this common yet dangerous condition. We can demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques to address specific areas of concern and offer suggestions on additional products to use to help make certain you wear your best smile each day. To ensure you get a day and time convenient for you, we will schedule your next cleaning visit before you leave your appointment.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Cleanings?
A dental cleaning is a preventive service and generally covered by dental insurance, but we will contact your provider to be sure. If there are any out-of-pocket costs for your procedure, our team will let you know before we begin your cleaning. We work with most PPO plans and accept several payment types to allow your family to enjoy affordable care for a healthy smile. As an additional convenience, we also accept third-party financing payments through CareCredit®.
Dental Cleaning FAQ
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
Our team will assess how sensitive your teeth are and how much plaque is built up before beginning your professional dental cleaning. Though dental cleanings from our Houston, TX team are virtually painless, if you have sensitive gums, you may experience some sensitivity. Call our office to schedule an appointment to keep your teeth and mouth in optimal health.
What foods should I avoid after a teeth cleaning?
We recommend avoiding spice, acidic, or heavily seasoned food for the rest of the day following your cleaning, as you might experience mild irritation or sensitivity. Your dentist will discuss why these foods should be avoided and what foods are safe to consume without worry.
How long does it take to receive a dental cleaning?
Generally speaking, dental cleanings only take about an hour to an hour and a half. The exact length of time will depend on the current health of your teeth. If a deep cleaning is needed, it could take longer.
Protect Your Smile With Preventive Care
Our family dental practice has over 30 years of providing gentle dental cleanings in a comfortable and welcoming environment for patients of all ages. We want to help you keep your family’s smiles healthy and happy through twice-yearly cleanings at our Houston, TX practice locations. Routine and timely cleanings can reduce the need for costlier, more complex care in the future. To schedule your family's professional dental cleaning visits, contact Made Ya Smile Dental today.
