So you’ve been to the dentist, and they’ve given you guidelines on what you can do to keep your teeth clean and your mouth healthy.

While you could do 99% of it at home, one of the things they’ve said is to come back for a professional dental cleaning.

And, while this might seem like a way to get money out of you, there’s a reason for professional dental cleanings, and why they’re important.

How Dentists Clean Teeth: Is Professional Dental Cleaning Necessary?

In short: yes.

Dental deep cleans are important for removing plaque and tartar buildup around the teeth, or near the gums where your toothbrush might not reach.

How Do Dentists Clean Teeth?

For regular dental cleaning, the dentist will use a scraping tool to remove plaque and tartar around your teeth, and then polish your teeth with a gritty toothpaste.

However, if you go for deep dental cleaning, then the process usually involves techniques known as periodontal scaling, and root planing to remove excess buildup. If need be, they’ll use an ultrasonic cleaner, which is the main difference between a dental clean, and a deep dental clean.

What’s An Average Professional Dental Cleaning Cost?

The average cost of a dental clean can range from £25 for a quick clean to around £85 for a comprehensive clean. Depending on the oral hygienist, it may take anywhere from 25 minutes to an hour, and they may ask you to come back for another session if they need to give the gums and teeth time to heal or absorb anything they may apply to help with oral health.

Why Are Dental Cleans Necessary?

Apart from cleaning your teeth and mouth, dental cleans are necessary to help the oral hygienist check up on your overall dental health. On top of that, dental and oral health have been shown to link directly to overall and psychological health.

How Often Should I Go For A Dental Clean?

The answer to this one is tricky. Everybody’s oral health is different, and some people are just more prone to oral health problems. It’s a good idea to ask your dentist if you’re unsure. But, a general rule of thumb is to go every 6 months, though some people could need to go every 3 months, while others only need to go every 12 months.

Conclusion

Dental health is vital to your overall well-being and, just like anything else in life, oral and dental health is dependent entirely on how well you take care of your teeth.

Make sure you brush for at least 2 minutes, twice a day, every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush to make sure you keep your chompers happy and healthy, and make sure you see your dentist!

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