Dental cleanings are recommended every six months to remove stains, stuck food, and buildup from the teeth. Stuck foods and beverages encourage the thriving of dangerous bacteria in the mouth. Harmful oral bacteria is the leading cause of cavities, gum disease, and other common oral and dental problems people experience every day.
Dentists performing dental cleanings use safe and effective products and techniques to avoid damaging your gums and teeth. However, there is always a concern that it could damage your enamel, the most substantial part of the tooth. The enamel protects a tooth's inner structures and protects it from staining. If damaged, the tooth becomes weak, stains, and is prone to bacterial attack.
Speak to a skilled dentist about dental cleanings, their benefits, and safety if you are worried about enamel damage. Understanding how dentists perform them and the benefits could help you make an informed decision.
The Benefits of Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings are among the practices dentists recommend to improve oral health and general well-being. The foods and drinks that remain in the mouth after eating are the leading causes of most dental issues. They combine with the bacteria in the mouth to produce a strong and harmful acid that creates a buildup on the teeth and gums. The strong acid damages the teeth and gums and changes the appearance of your teeth. It eventually causes stains, gum disease, and cavities. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth after every meal or twice daily to remove any foods that could remain after eating. They also suggest flossing daily to remove remaining foods between the teeth.
However, brushing and flossing alone cannot completely free your mouth from harmful bacteria. Some challenging-to-reach areas in the mouth remain perfect breeding grounds for the bacteria. Additionally, some people do not know how to brush their teeth effectively. This increases your risk of cavities, periodontitis, halitosis, and other oral issues. Dental cleaning helps remove any buildup that could have accumulated on your gums and teeth, especially in the challenging-to-reach areas. A professional dentist also uses more effective techniques and products to ensure your teeth are free from harm.
Dental cleaning is beneficial in several ways. They protect you from gum disease and cavities. Remember that these are some of the problems caused by harmful bacteria in the mouth. When bacteria come into contact with foods in the mouth, they produce a powerful acid that corrodes your teeth and creates a buildup that causes cavities and periodontal disease. Cavities affect your teeth and continue to weaken and damage them until you can no longer save them. Gum disease starts from the gums as gingivitis and worsens with time into a disease that affects your teeth, gums, and general health.
Dental cleaning also prevents bad breath. This is a common problem, even for people who brush and floss their teeth as recommended. Remember that regular brushing is not always effective in removing all foods from the mouth. Some areas are challenging to reach when flossing. The stuck foods in the mouth cause bad breath. The growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth also gives you bad breath. The condition worsens when you develop cavities or gum disease. When a professional dentist cleans every part of your mouth, you can enjoy a fresh breath for a long time before you are due for another appointment.
A dentist can detect developing dental or oral problems when examining your gums and teeth before professional cleaning. Remember that professional dental cleaning mainly happens during regular dental checkups and examinations. These are visits you make to the dentist, not because you have a dental problem but because you want to be sure that your gums and teeth are in excellent condition. Some dental and oral issues start early and worsen over time. During checkups, examinations, and professional cleaning, your dentist can detect and recommend treatment for them.
Dental Cleanings Do Not Damage Teeth Enamel
When a dentist cleans your gums, tongue, and teeth professionally, they focus on removing plaque and tartar that has formed. Plaque usually forms from a soft film on the teeth after eating. Regular brushing and rinsing the mouth after eating removes this film. However, if part remains on your teeth, it hardens to form plaque. Plaque is an acidic buildup that damages the teeth, especially the enamel. Although the enamel is generally robust, plaque is even more potent and can damage it to penetrate the teeth's underlying structures over time. Through tooth damage, plaque causes cavities. When it builds up on the gums, it causes gingivitis, eventually spreading and worsening into periodontal disease.
Thus, cleaning your teeth does not damage them, but the harmful bacteria that grow when you fail to clean them. Cleaning teeth prevents enamel damage by removing plaque and tartar, the damaging elements. However, you must use the right brush and toothpaste for the job. Toothbrushes with stiff bristles can weaken your enamel, making it susceptible to damage. They can also damage your gums and other soft tissues in the mouth. Some toothpastes are too strong for your teeth. Others are too gentle and do not contain the right products, like fluoride, to protect your teeth from harm.
Dental cleanings are also very safe for your teeth. Dentists recommend them every six months because they protect your gums and teeth from harm and improve your general health. However, there are myths about professional dental cleanings that can discourage you from professional dental cleaning every six months. Here are some of them and the reasons why they are false:
Cleaning Techniques Used by Dental Hygienists Result in Enamel Erosion
During dental cleanings, the hygienists scratch and scrape out buildup on the teeth, techniques that some people fear can damage their enamel. Remember that plaque and tartar stick to a tooth’s surface and are usually difficult to remove by regular brushing. The dental hygienist must use some force to effectively remove the buildup to keep your teeth safe from cavities and periodontal disease. The hardened tartar requires even more force to remove. However, the aggressive removal of tartar does not damage your enamel.
Remember that the enamel is the hardest part of your teeth. It comprises very many minerals and continues to remineralize to remain sturdy. This makes it possible for humans to bite and chew for years without wearing their teeth down. The strength of the enamel makes it hard to damage during regular dental cleanings.
Dental Hygienists Use Chemicals that Can Damage Teeth
Other people believe that the chemicals used during professional teeth cleaning are harsh on the teeth, particularly the enamel. They think the chemicals will weaken their teeth with time and eventually cause teeth loss. Dental hygienists use tools and chemicals that could appear damaging to teeth but do not. For example, they use a pumice stone to polish teeth, a gritty or sandpaper-like item to remove stains and buildup, and smoothen your teeth’s surfaces after cleaning.
Dental hygienists also use fluoride to rinse and varnish your teeth after cleaning. Fluoride contains elements that strengthen the enamel and make your teeth surface unconducive to the growth of harmful bacteria. All these materials and chemicals are very safe for your teeth. The tools are not strong enough to break or damage your teeth. The substances are safe for teeth cleaning. Thus, there is no need to worry about this when booking your appointment for a regular dental checkup and cleaning.
Dental Cleaning Has Severe Side Effects
A common misconception is that you will experience severe side effects after professional dental cleaning. The truth is that some people experience soreness around the mouth’s soft tissues, including the gums, after dental cleanings. However, this is very normal, and the soreness should go away after a day or two. Although bleeding and infections have been reported, they are infrequent. Nonetheless, none of these effects indicate damage to your teeth or enamel. Still, dental cleanings are very safe.
If you experience severe side effects, you should speak to your dentist immediately. Your dentist will tell you what to expect during and after the cleaning to prepare.
Protecting Yourself from Enamel Damage after Professional Dental Cleaning
Although dental cleanings are very safe, you are still at risk of enamel damage if you fail to care for your teeth as you should. Dentists recommend strategies and oral hygiene habits that could protect your gums and teeth from damage by harmful bacteria. Although dental cleanings take care of all stains, buildups, and stuck foods in the teeth, ignoring your dental hygiene habits after dental cleanings put your teeth and enamel at risk. Your dentist will send you home with a few tips on caring for your teeth and enamel to ensure you enjoy strong, functional, and bright teeth. Some of these tips are as follows:
Avoid Bad Habits Like Smoking and Teeth Grinding
You can quickly damage your teeth through some bad habits like smoking and teeth grinding. Smoking also puts you at risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and other common oral issues.
Chemicals in tobacco weaken and eventually damage your enamel, increasing your risk of cavities. They also discolor your teeth due to staining nicotine and tar buildup on the teeth and gums.
If you grind your teeth, you weaken the enamel and eventually damage it, exposing the sensitive underlying structure to harmful bacteria. People with bruxism are also at a higher risk of cavities and periodontal disease.
Thus, smoking and grinding your teeth are some of the enamel-damaging habits you should stop to protect your enamel.
Use Safe Brushing Techniques
Remember to continue your daily hygiene habits after dental cleanings to keep your gums and teeth clean and free from harmful bacteria. However, you should practice safe brushing to avoid damaging your gums and enamel. This includes using a soft-bristled toothbrush that gently removes foods and stains from your teeth. You should also gently brush your teeth because aggressive brushing can weaken the enamel.
Additionally, carefully select toothpaste with the right ingredients to remineralize your enamel. Remineralization is a natural process that keeps your enamel strong. Fluoride-based toothpastes are highly recommended for this purpose.
Consume Sugary and Acidic Foods in Moderation
Sugary and acidic foods are not suitable for your teeth. The acid in some of your favorite foods is enamel-eroding. If you continuously consume acidic foods, you eventually damage your teeth’s protective layer, exposing their sensitive underlying structures. A weak enamel is also susceptible to attack by harmful bacteria, which increases your risk of cavities.
When broken down by oral bacteria, sugary foods produce a powerful acid that is also enamel-eroding. Bacteria thrive best in sugary or starchy environments. Thus, your risk of cavities increases significantly when you consume sugary or starchy foods compared to other foods.
Use Protective Gear When Playing Contact Sports
Sportspeople fall easily and quickly, especially those who engage in contact sports. Falling can damage your teeth, especially if you fall hard on your face. Some people crack their teeth, and others break them. Other people weaken their enamel and do not know about it until later, when the tooth cracks or they develop a cavity. Dentists recommend wearing protective gear, like a mouthguard, during sporting events.
Find a Skilled General Dentist Near Me
Dental cleanings are highly beneficial as a preventive tool against harmful oral and dental conditions like cavities and periodontal disease. They remove stains and foul odor from your mouth, brightening your smile and boosting your confidence. They also improve your overall well-being. However, some people are afraid that dental cleaning damages the enamel.
At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we believe that enamel is the strongest element in the human body. This makes it difficult to damage, especially during regular dental cleanings. We discuss your worries and concerns during regular dental checkups and examinations. We will ensure you understand how dental cleanings are done and their safety. We also use safe chemicals, tools, and techniques to remove stains, stuck foods, and buildup from your teeth during professional cleaning to keep your teeth safe. Contact us at 818-701-3010 to book your appointment in Northridge.
