Why Are Regular Dental Cleanings (Hygiene Visits) Important?

Your smile communicates confidence and a sparkling smile can give you a more positive outlook on life. We don’t believe this is an exaggeration. We are the Savannah dentist office committed to bringing out your brightest smile.

Why does the American Dental Association and Dr. Schnabel recommend you return every six months for a regular dental cleaning? Regular dental visits are vital in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

For most patients with average to excellent dental health, a dental cleaning is recommended twice per year. However, existing dental problems may require more frequent visits. For example, if you are prone to cavities, we might recommend dental cleanings on a three-month schedule.

For those undergoing extensive dental work, we might need to clean your teeth even more frequently during the duration of your treatment plan. We will always explain exactly what to expect based on your individual needs, and we encourage you to ask questions about anything that is unclear.

For those with healthy, strong, teeth and gums, dental cleanings are generally recommended twice per year. Many people believe that this is simply to keep their teeth pearly white, and it is true that professional cleanings will enhance your smile. However, the benefits of a dental cleaning go far beyond simple appearance.

There is a strong link between poor oral health and deteriorating physical health. In fact, those with untreated dental disease are at a much higher risk for a stroke or heart attack. Regular dental cleanings ensure that any new cavities, gum disease, or other issues are caught and treated quickly before they become serious.

In addition, at your regular appointments, we will thoroughly check for other potential health concerns, such as TMJ, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and changes that could indicate oral cancer. A regular dental cleaning in Savannah is a quick and easy way to ensure that your mouth, head, and neck are in excellent shape.

Dental deep cleaning is a procedure done by a dental hygienist to treat gum disease. It is most often necessary after missing a few regular teeth cleaning appointments, but could be needed despite your best efforts at oral hygiene if you happen to be predisposed to gum disease.

Your dental hygienist will use a probe to check the depth of any pocketing between your teeth and your gums. Ideally, those pockets should be 3 millimeters deep or less. If they are more than 5 millimeters, you will need a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing.

The dental deep cleaning can be done with a variety of different manual, electric, or ultrasonic tools. Regardless of which tools are used, the goal is to remove plaque and tartar from both the surfaces of the teeth and the insides of the pockets. You may be scheduled for a follow-up appointment to ensure that the treatment successfully reduced the pockets.

Your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse for you to use in the days or weeks following your dental deep cleaning. In most cases, the pockets will reduce once the bacteria and debris are removed. If the procedure is unsuccessful, however, you may be referred to a periodontist for additional treatment options.

Not only are your teeth a key part of your personality but regular dental care can prevent serious health issues. Research has proven a link between the advanced stages of gum disease and health problems like diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Over time, plaque and tartar can form in some areas even with meticulous brushing. When tartar collects below the gum line, gum infections can lead to tooth loss or gum disease.

Schedule the First Step Toward Your Healthiest Smile

We are excited to meet you and discuss your dental needs.  Call our office today at (912) 354-1366 or use the contact form here and we’ll get in touch with you to schedule an appointment.