7 Reasons You Need Regular Dental Cleanings and Exams

Good job if you brush and floss your teeth daily, just as you should! But there’s more to maintaining oral health than just those two things. It’s important to make appointments for cleanings at the dentist’s office twice a year.

At the office of Shara Miller DDS, our expert team of dental providers encourages all our patients in South Beach, Miami, Florida, and Midtown, New York City, New York, to come in for twice-yearly dental cleanings and exams as part of our preventive services plan. Need a reason to make the call? We’ve got seven for you right here.

Seven reasons you need regular dental cleaning and exams

No matter how good of a job you do with your teeth and gums at home, your dentist has the knowledge, experience, and special tools to take your oral health to a higher level. Here are seven reasons to schedule regular appointments.

1. We perform a physical exam

Before cleaning, the dental hygienist uses a dental mirror to examine your entire mouth, checking your teeth and gums for signs of decay, gingivitis (early gum disease), or other problems.

They may also use a VELscope® to detect signs of oral cancer. Now considered the gold standard of oral cancer detection, the scope uses the natural fluorescence of the mucosal tissues to detect any lumps or lesions. 

If the hygienist detects any problems, they call in the dentist to determine how to proceed.

2. We remove plaque and hardened tartar

No matter how much you brush and floss, you can’t reach every place in your mouth. Only a professional can remove tartar build-up. The hygienist performs a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing.

They use a tool that removes plaque and tartar for scaling, even below the gum line and between teeth. You can hear scraping sounds, but it’s not a painful process.

Root planing involves smoothing the tooth roots so that bacteria have difficulty gaining a foothold on the teeth.

3. We use gritty toothpaste to clean

Once your teeth are tartar-free, the hygienist brushes them using a high-powered electric brush and toothpaste with a gritty consistency to scrub your teeth. If you try this at home, you likely wear down the enamel covering your teeth. When done by a professional, we consider it safe twice a year.

4. We expertly floss

You can benefit from expert flossing even if you’re a regular, good flosser. The hygienist can get the floss deep between your teeth and locate any spots where you might bleed at the gums. Bleeding is one of the signs of gingivitis.

The flossing also removes any leftover plaque or toothpaste from the cleaning process so your teeth look and feel squeaky clean.

5. We use a fluoride rinse

Fluoride is a mineral that helps create strong teeth; that’s why it’s in your toothpaste and drinking water. The hygienist gives you a rinse containing liquid fluoride to help remove any last debris in your mouth.

6. We apply fluoride and sealants

Yes, you just rinsed with fluoride, but applied fluoride goes beyond the immediate, acting as a protectant against cavities for several months. The hygienist places a foamy gel or a sticky paste into a mouthpiece and fits the device over your teeth, removing it after about a minute.

They also paint fluoride varnish onto the teeth. It hardens when it comes in contact with saliva; you can eat and drink right after your appointment.

7. We take X-rays

You can't detect all problems with your teeth or jawbone on sight, but they do show up quite clearly on an X-ray, which allows us to catch problems early and treat them successfully.

If it’s been a while since your last professional dental cleaning and exam, it’s time to come into the office of Shara Miller DDS for a comprehensive look at your oral health.

To schedule, contact us by calling one of our offices or booking on the website today.