Good oral hygiene contributes to good oral health, which is crucial for the well being of your entire body. Routine cleaning through brushing and flossing helps keep your teeth and gums in good shape, but it is equally important that you visit your dentist regularly to for comprehensive dental examinations as well as professional cleaning. Here is more to know about maintaining good oral health through dental cleaning McLean VA, as explained by McLean dentist.

What are some tips for good, at-home dental cleaning?

Dentist in McLean, VA recommends the following to help maintain good oral hygiene.

• Brush your teeth for at least 3 minutes, twice every day – once during the course of the day and once right before hitting the bed. This helps remove food build-up and plaque, thus protecting your teeth from cavities and decay.

• Use inter-dental devices like flosses or picks to clean between teeth. Floss your teeth at least once every day.

• Always use good quality dental care products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, inter-dental cleaners etc., preferably those approved by The American Dental Association.

Regular home care and dental cleaning prevent plaque from forming and in turn wreaking havoc on your teeth and gums. The market today offers a wide range of dental cleaning devices and dental health tools like regular toothbrushes, electronically powered toothbrushes, soft tongue cleaners, waxed and unwaxed flosses, mouth rinses, and so on. Your dentist should be able to guide you on what products are right for you to maintain proper oral hygiene at home.

Why are routine exams and professional cleanings necessary?

The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist every six months to asses your oral health and to treat problems before they flare up. Such routine visits can be beneficial in many ways, some of which are as follows.

• Timely examination and cleaning of teeth prevent tooth decay, bad breath, as well as gum disease. Professional cleaning helps remove debris and food particles lodged in the hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. What cannot be removed through brushing and flossing comes out easily through professional cleaning, thus helping your teeth and gums stay healthy.

• Routine cleaning also forms a part of preventive care, which saves you the trouble of expensive and time-consuming dental procedures that need to be performed when the tooth decays.

• Such cleaning also whitens teeth by reducing or removing stains from food and drinks, thus making your smile more attractive and appealing.

• Such routine visits, over time, improve your oral health and keep your teeth and gums intact for a long time.

What happens during the dental examination and cleaning?

During a scheduled examination for preventive care purposes, the dentist examines your teeth thoroughly for signs of decay, gum diseases, chipped or broken tooth, or other underlying conditions that could pose risks later on. For a closer and better examination, the dentist may also ask for X-rays to view what’s happening beneath the surface of your gums and teeth. The routine examination is also a good time for you to discuss with your dentist, any oral health problems that you may be facing such as toothaches, sensitivity, tongue bites, etc.

Professional cleanings are sometimes conducted as part of a routine checkup. During the procedure, the dentist examines your teeth and gum surface for cavities and the quality of existing fillings and crowns. Once found okay, he/she cleans your teeth carefully a variety of professional dental cleaning devices that remove hard mineral build-up from your teeth. Next, the dentist flosses your teeth and applies a polishing compound followed by fluoride. During the examination or procedure, if the dentist finds a cavity, he/she may recommend a change in cleaning and flossing habits. The doctor may also recommend further treatment procedures to save your tooth or replace damaged ones. In case your teeth and gums are healthy, they would typically recommend you to continue your brushing and flossing habits.

Preventive dental care is of utmost importance to retain lifelong, healthy smiles. Visit your McLean dentist regularly for routine examinations and dental cleaning to keep your teeth and gums intact and in good shape for a prolonged period of time.