Preventing Dental Problems: The Role of Regular Dental Cleanings

Taking care of one’s oral health is important for maintaining an attractive smile as well as preventing serious dental issues. While proper brushing and flossing at home are essential parts of an oral hygiene routine, regular professional dental cleanings, also known as dental prophylaxis, play a crucial preventative role. Through removing plaque and tartar buildup that brushing cannot address, routine cleanings significantly reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. With regular dental cleaning appointments every six months, many dental problems can be avoided altogether.

Are you in need of dental work but worried about cost?

Dr. BestPrice can help you find truly affordable dental care through our discount plans, dental insurance assistance and low-bid dental auction site matching patients to dentists with the cheapest dental treatment prices. 

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If it is not removed through brushing, flossing, and dental cleaning, plaque hardens into tartar within a few days. Both plaque and especially tartar act as a breeding ground for bacteria in the mouth. Over time, this buildup of bacteria can lead to tooth decay and periodontal (gum)

disease if left untreated. Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the gums. If gingivitis is not addressed, it can advance to periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth and bone is destroyed. Left unmanaged, periodontitis can result in tooth mobility, bone and tooth loss.

Regular dental cleanings are one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay

and periodontal disease thanks to the powerful instrumentation used. During a cleaning, the dental hygienist uses specialized scalers, curettes and air polishing to thoroughly remove tartar buildup and disrupt plaque biofilms above and below the gumline. Ultrasonic and sonic scalers vibrate at frequencies between 25,000-35,000 cycles per second, breaking up bacterial colonies and safely removing tenacious calculus. These instruments are too intense for at-home use, so a professional dental cleaning complements brushing and flossing.

In addition to removing built-up deposits, dental cleanings give the dental hygienist a chance to carefully examine the mouth, neck and head for any signs of oral cancer or other problems. Any cavities or suspicious areas can be noted and treated if needed. The hygienist also takes x-rays every 6-12 months to check for bone loss, lesions, infections or tumors not visible to the naked eye. Regular x-rays allow early detection of issues before they become advanced or symptomatic. By allowing for thorough examinations during cleanings, dental problems can often be diagnosed in their very earliest stages.

Not only do cleanings play defense against oral diseases, but they are also necessary even after dental work like fillings, crowns

or bridges is done. Placement of restorations typically leaves ledges where plaque can collect. Regular cleanings remove this biofilm and ensure the margins of fillings, implants or orthodontic appliances stay plaque-free. Maintaining healthy tissue around such work prevents decay, infection or periodontal pockets from developing. Without dental cleaning, expensive dental work has a greater chance of needing replacement due to preventable dental issues.

Studies have repeatedly shown that regular dental cleanings are highly effective in reducing the occurrence of major oral diseases like cavities and periodontitis. Adults who get their teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months have up to 50% fewer cavities than those who receive no dental prophylaxis. Periodontitis prevalence is reduced by 25-50% when patients visit for routine scaling and root planing every 3-4 months as needed. Furthermore, the Cochrane Oral Health Group analyzed long-term clinical trials involving over 60,000 patients and found consistent evidence that

more frequent professional cleanings improves gum health significantly.

Those at highest risk of oral problems include pregnant women, diabetics, smokers and individuals with other systemic diseases. For these high-risk groups, dental cleanings every 3-4 months may be recommended. Children too young for independent oral hygiene should receive their first dental cleaning around age 3, with visits every 6 months thereafter. Adhering to these cleaning schedules is key, as missing even one 6-month visit allows plaque levels to spike. Overall, regular dental cleaning is an excellent form of preventative dental care that reduces oral diseases and tooth loss. With its ability to complement effective home care, routine cleanings every 6 months should be an integral part of lifelong oral health maintenance.

Among others, the following dental procedures may be related to regular oral hygiene.

D1110 - Prophylaxis - Adult (cleaning for patients age 13 and older)

D1120 - Prophylaxis - Child (cleaning for patients age 12 and under)

D4910 - Periodontal maintenance (subsequent cleaning for patients with history of periodontal disease)

D4355 - Full mouth debridement (deep cleaning for heavy calculus/tartar buildup)

D4341 - Periodontal scaling and root planing - four or more teeth per quadrant (intensive cleaning for gum disease)

In summary, regular professional dental cleanings play a crucial role in preventing cavities, gum disease and tooth loss. Through thorough removal of hardened deposits like plaque and tartar using specialized instrumentation, cleanings disrupt bacterial colonies and keep gingival tissues healthy. They also allow comprehensive examinations to identify potential problems early. Numerous studies demonstrate a clear link between frequent dental cleaning and significantly reduced risks of major dental diseases. By maintaining cleanings every 6 months as recommended, dental patients can take effective preventative action against serious dental issues throughout life. Overall, dental cleaning is the smart choice for lifelong oral wellness.

Looking for affordable dental care? Dr. BestPrice matches patients with highly-rated local dentists offering savings of up to 60% with dental insurance, discount plans and our dental auction service. Find low-cost preventative care and treatment at Dr. BestPrice.