In This Article
What is a regular dental cleaning?
Professional teeth cleanings by dentists, i.e., regular teeth cleaning costs, are essential components of preventative dentistry. Professional teeth cleaning generally involves the removal of plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a whitish film that collects on your teeth and gums despite regular brushing and flossing because you can’t reach all the deepest recesses of your teeth. During professional teeth cleaning, the dentist removes all the accumulated plaque and tartar, helping you maintain perfect oral hygiene. Without regular dental cleaning, you may eventually suffer from gum disease and dental cavities.
What are the types of teeth cleaning?
Child Teeth Cleaning
Children should start visiting dentists for professional teeth cleaning as soon as they develop their first baby teeth, usually around six years old. Once a child is three years of age, they need at least two dental cleanings per year. During pediatric dental cleanings, the dentist will clean their teeth, remove plaque and tartar, inform them about brushing techniques, and provide essential dental education.
Adult Teeth Cleaning
Adults should also go for regular dental cleanings once every six to twelve months, depending on their oral health. During adult teeth cleaning, the dental hygienist will use a scaler device to remove the accumulated plaque and tartar. They’ll also use fluoride treatment to minimize the risk of bacterial infections. Adults must go for regular dental cleanings to prevent bacterial infections and dental decay.
Dental Deep Cleaning/ Teeth Cleaning Cost
Dental deep cleaning, also known as periodontal deep cleaning, is different from professional teeth cleanings. While professional teeth cleaning is a preventative procedure, periodontal deep cleaning is a medically necessary procedure for patients with gingivitis or periodontitis. This procedure is extremely important because it stops periodontitis from spreading.
During a periodontal deep cleaning, the dentist will remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. They also smoothen the roots of your teeth, remove all the bacteria, and apply antibiotic disinfectants. This procedure facilitates gum healing and prevents the infection from spreading, thus reversing the damage caused by periodontitis.
Why are dental cleanings important?
Regardless of how well you brush and floss your teeth, you can’t remove all the small food particles stuck between your teeth or on the gum line. The food particles eventually become a whitish substance called plaque, which eventually hardens into a yellowish substance called tartar. You can’t remove tartar with traditional brushing and flossing, so you need professional teeth cleaning. If you don’t remove plaque and tartar, you will eventually experience gum inflammations, gingivitis, and bacterial decay.
During professional teeth cleaning, the dentist uses a special scaler device to scrape away the accumulated plaque and tartar. The dentist may also take x-rays to examine your teeth and determine if you have the signs and symptoms of early gum disease or cavities. After dental scaling, the dental hygienist will ask you to rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. The dentist will also apply a fluoride gel to your teeth to minimize the risk of bacterial decay for the next few months.
What can happen if I do not keep my teeth clean?
- Gum Disease: If you don’t maintain optimal oral health, bacteria may accumulate in your gums and lead to inflammation. This can cause gum disease and periodontitis.
- Tooth Loss: Without proper oral hygiene, you may eventually develop cavities and infections that spread into the root canals, increasing the risk of tooth loss.
- Halitosis: The bacteria in your mouth interact with saliva and food particles to cause persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis.
- Complications: Periodontitis and gingivitis significantly increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, pregnancy complications, and other health problems.
How often should you go to the dentist?
Dentists generally recommend regular dental cleanings once every six months. However, that’s based on an average, and it isn’t a hard-and-fast rule for everyone. The 6-month recommendation is based on the average time it takes for most people to develop a high volume of plaque on the teeth and gum line, necessitating professional teeth cleaning. People with extremely good oral health and oral hygiene may only need one tooth cleaning per year, whereas those with a high risk of bacterial decay may need three or four teeth cleanings per year. Your dentist will recommend the ideal dental cleaning frequency for you based on your dental condition.
How much does teeth cleaning cost in Houston?
The professional teeth cleaning cost isn’t always the same — it depends on numerous factors:
- The location of the dental clinic
- The type of dental cleaning necessary
- If you need teeth x-rays
- Whether you have dental insurance
- Whether you need additional at-home products
Your dentist will examine your teeth and curate the ideal treatment plan for you. After the assessment, the dentist will provide a detailed quotation for your professional teeth cleaning. Generally speaking, your dental insurance should cover at least two teeth cleaning per year, but it varies from one plan to the next. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, your dentist may have some in-office savings plans to minimize the cost of teeth cleaning.
Schedule your dental cleaning near me
URBN Dental is one of the most reliable dental clinics in Montrose, TX. We provide extremely effective professional teeth cleanings to help you maintain optimal oral health and hygiene for a lifetime. We also take a proactive approach to oral health, addressing the warning signs of dental problems at the earliest stages possible. If you’re curious about your dental cleaning cost, please schedule an appointment for dental cleaning near me today.