Dental Cleanings

Regular dental cleanings are important for maintaining good oral health. You should see a dentist for a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. Just like adults, children should see a dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and dental evaluation. Even if you brush your teeth regularly and practice excellent oral hygiene, a dental expert should still remove plaque buildup you may not see and examine your mouth for possible health concerns. Good dental health starts early and lasts a lifetime.

At Full Smile Dental, our dentists and staff provide professional teeth cleanings for patients of all ages. If it's time for your or your child's dental checkup, contact us in Dumas, Canyon, Amarillo, Farwell, and Dalhart, TX, for an appointment.

The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

Oral health care should be an essential part of your everyday life. Your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts. When you keep your mouth and teeth clean, you prevent bacteria from entering these parts of the body. If the mouth and teeth are not properly cared for, dental problems can arise that put your overall health at risk, including:

• Tooth decay. Cavities can cause pain and if severe enough, can lead to total failure of the tooth and tooth loss.
• Periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is caused by bacteria build up below the gum line. It can be difficult to chew and teeth can become loose to the point of falling out.
• Gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and has been linked to health complications such as asthma, arthritis, premature births, respiratory problems, and stroke.
• Infections. Untreated oral health infections have been linked to diabetes, weight gain, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and more.

Your oral health directly affects your overall health. By taking care of your mouth, teeth, and gums, you take care of the rest of your body. Be sure to practice regular brushing and flossing twice per day, and visit your dentist every 6 months.

What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?

First, a dental hygienist will examine your mouth for any abnormalities and check for signs of gingivitis. They will use special instruments to scrape plaque and tartar off the surface of the teeth.

The dental hygienist will use a high-powered electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to clean the teeth and then floss around each tooth, then rinse your mouth of any remaining debris. This type of standard routine cleaning is also called a prophylaxis cleaning.

There are different types of dental cleanings, and we will perform the right one for your dental needs. Some cleanings involve the use of a fluoride treatment after the cleaning, while others do not. If gum disease is present, we perform a deep clean, which consists of scaling and root planing. Scaling involves the dentist removing all the hardened plaque and tartar above the gum line, and root planing involves removing the infected part of the tooth and smoothing out its root.

Periodontal maintenance is another way to treat periodontal disease. This type of cleaning is deeper than a routine cleaning and focuses on cleaning the pockets caused by the disease.

By visiting your general dentist for regular teeth cleanings, you take active measures toward ensuring good dental hygiene and overall oral health.

Achieve a Whiter Smile—For Life!

Having a whiter smile can leave you feeling more confident about your teeth. Full Smile Dental offers Zoom^® teeth whitening treatment to enhance your smile’s radiance. You can undergo professional teeth whitening in our office or purchase kits to use in the comfort of your home. Results from Zoom teeth whitening can last up to 1–2 years. 

You can increase the longevity of your results through our Free Whitening For Life Program. When you sign up for this program, you receive everything you need to maintain a consistently whiter smile for life using a combination of in-office and at-home kits. Sign up for the Free Whitening For Life Program today.