Regular dental cleanings preserve oral health and prevent issues like cavities and gum disease. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends having your teeth cleaned every six months. Regular cleanings are a cornerstone of preventive care, helping to remove plaque, tartar, and stains that daily brushing misses.
Routine dental cleanings are a key service offered in dental hygiene, and they provide numerous benefits for your smile and overall health. If you’re a new patient, you may also want to explore the comprehensive care included in a new patient cleaning and checkup to better understand the process.
Why Are Dental Cleanings Essential?
Dental cleanings go beyond regular brushing and flossing by addressing areas that are difficult to clean at home. These appointments help:
- Prevent plaque and tartar buildup: Even diligent home care can leave residue behind, leading to hardened tartar. Only a dentist can remove tartar once it’s formed.
- Protect against gum disease: Removing tartar reduces inflammation and supports gum health.
- Prevent cavities: Cleanings remove bacteria and buildup that cause tooth decay.
- Improve overall health: Oral health is closely connected to overall wellness, including diabetes and heart disease.
By scheduling regular cleanings, you’re investing in the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
Dental cleaning is a multi-step process designed to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. It typically includes:
- Examination: The dentist or hygienist will examine your teeth for signs of cavities, gum disease, or other concerns.
- Scaling: Special tools are used to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and below the gumline.
- Polishing: A polishing paste smooths your teeth and removes surface stains.
- Fluoride treatment: In some cases, fluoride is applied to strengthen enamel and prevent decay.
Professional care complements your daily oral hygiene routine and ensures your teeth stay healthy and bright.
How Often Should Cleanings Be Scheduled?
The general guideline for most people is every six months. However, some factors may necessitate more frequent visits, such as:
- Gum disease: If you have or are recovering from periodontal disease, cleanings may be needed every three to four months.
- Tobacco use: Smoking increases plaque buildup and gum health issues, requiring more frequent cleanings.
- Underlying health conditions: Medical conditions like diabetes or pregnancy can make regular dental care even more critical.
Discussing your specific needs with your dentist can help establish the best cleaning schedule for your oral health.
For some patients, additional treatments may be beneficial. For example, Oravital treatment targets harmful bacteria in the mouth, helping to treat gum disease and eliminate bad breath. This option is ideal for those who need extra care to manage oral health conditions.
Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings
Sticking to a consistent dental cleaning schedule offers several key advantages:
- Stronger teeth: Cleanings remove plaque and bacteria that weaken enamel.
- Healthier gums: Tartar removal helps reduce gum inflammation and supports overall gum health.
- Brighter smile: Polishing teeth during cleanings removes surface stains, enhancing your smile.
- Lower dental costs: Preventive care reduces the likelihood of needing more invasive and expensive treatments later.
Cleanings are a small investment of time with significant benefits for oral and overall health.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene Between Visits
In addition to regular cleanings, maintaining a strong oral hygiene routine at home is necessary to keep your oral health in optimal shape. This includes:
- Brushing twice a day: Use fluoride toothpaste to keep enamel strong and help prevent decay.
- Flossing daily: Clean between teeth to remove plaque and debris.
- Minimizing sugar intake: Reducing sugar helps lower the risk of cavities.
- Staying hydrated: Drinking water supports saliva production, naturally cleansing your mouth.
These habits work hand-in-hand with professional cleanings to keep your mouth healthy.
When Should You Book Your Next Cleaning?
If you’ve skipped a cleaning or are experiencing signs like gum sensitivity, bad breath, or visible plaque buildup, it’s time to book an appointment. Consistent care can prevent minor issues from becoming more significant problems.
Professional Dental Care for a Healthier Smile
At Markham Dental, the team is dedicated to providing high-quality preventive care. Their experienced team offers dental hygiene services and personalized new patient cleaning and checkups to support your oral health. Flexible financing options make routine care accessible for all patients.
Schedule your next cleaning today to protect your smile and enjoy the lasting benefits of regular dental care.
Specialty Servicesfor Every Smile
Sleep Better, Breathe Better
Start your home sleep study today with no family doctor referral needed. Through our partnership with Resolve Health, you can complete a convenient WatchPAT ONE home sleep test from the comfort of your home, followed by personalized care from our team.
From oral appliances and CPAP support to myofunctional therapy and airway-focused treatment, we provide comprehensive solutions for children and adults.
Train Your Muscles, Improve Your Sleep
Our myofunctional therapy programs retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to support nasal breathing, reduce snoring, and improve airway function. We work with children and adults to build long-term habits that benefit sleep, oral posture, and facial development.
Straighten Teeth, Support Healthy Breathing
We offer comprehensive orthodontic care for all ages, including braces and Invisalign. Beyond aesthetics, our approach improves bite, jaw function, and airway health, helping both children and adults achieve a healthy, functional smile.
Relieve Jaw Discomfort and Improve Function
Our TMJ treatment addresses jaw discomfort, clenching, and muscle tension using tailored therapies. From bite adjustments to neuromodulator support, we focus on restoring jaw function and reducing discomfort for a better quality of life.
Relax Facial Muscles, Improve Comfort
Neuromodulator treatments like Jeuveau/Neuceiva can reduce tension in the jaw and face, relieve TMJ discomfort, treat migraines, and refine fine lines. Our team customizes treatments for both therapeutic and aesthetic benefits.
Replace Missing Teeth with Stability and Function
Our dental implant services, including all-on-4 implants, restore missing or damaged teeth for a secure, natural-feeling smile. Implants support bite function, improve chewing and speaking, and prevent bone loss. Our team provides personalized planning, guided surgery, and ongoing support for long-lasting results.
What SetsMarkham Dental Apart
We approach your care differently, with a focus on health, function, and long-term prevention. At Markham Dental, we are:
We look beyond your teeth, incorporating assessments like blood pressure, airway and tongue analysis, and sleep screening to better understand how your oral health connects to your overall well-being.
With denturists, prosthodontists, orthodontists, and general dentists working together, your care is coordinated, comprehensive, and tailored to your needs.
Every exam is designed to be in-depth and intentional, with advanced assessments included at no additional cost, so nothing is overlooked.
What Our PatientsAre Saying
Come Visit Usin Markham
You can find us on Woodbine Avenue, with plenty of parking available outside the clinic. We look forward to seeing you!
Our Address
- 8241 Woodbine Ave, Unit 17
- Markham, ON L3R 2P1
Contact Information
- Phone: (905) 470-0220
- Fax: 289-806-1423
- Email: info@markhamdentalhw.com
Hours of Operation
Markham Dental
- 8241 Woodbine Ave, Unit 17
- Markham, ON L3R 2P1
- Phone: (905) 470-0220
- Fax: 289-806-1423
- Email: info@markhamdentalhw.com