Dental Cleanings in Franklin, TN
Personalized Family Dentistry in Franklin, Tennessee
Dr. Anne Marie Ellis is the dentist taking new patients in Franklin, TN. The Longpoint Dental team looks forward to making each patient feel like they are part of our family. Call today to schedule an appointment at our state-of-the-art office.
Healthy smiles don’t happen by accident. Small steps can make a big difference in keeping your teeth in great shape for the long haul. Of course, brushing and flossing are essential parts of good oral health, but they aren’t the only necessities. Visiting the dentist twice a year for professional dental cleanings is also necessary. Even if your teeth look healthy, regular dental cleanings can help prevent sticky plaque from hardening into tartar buildup and leading to dental problems. Before scheduling your next appointment with Dr. Ellis at Longpoint Dental, here’s what you need to know about dental cleanings.
What is a Dental Cleaning?
Dental cleanings are preventative treatments that usually occur during the same appointment as your routine dental exam. While dentists perform dental exams, dental cleanings are most often completed by dental hygienists. Depending on the condition of your teeth, teeth cleanings usually take around an hour to complete and are painless.
What Happens at a Dental Cleaning?
Your comfort is always one of our top concerns at Longpoint Dental. When you come in for a routine dental cleaning, here’s what you can expect to take place:
- Exam: The dental hygienist will examine your teeth and gums for potential dental problems. She will also note how deep the “pockets” of gum tissue are around each of your teeth to identify if you have, or are at risk of developing, gum disease.
- Removal of Plaque and Tartar: After she examines your teeth, the dental hygienist will gently scrape the surface of your teeth to remove sticky plaque and tartar buildup, especially between your teeth and around your gum line where bacteria can hide. This buildup cannot be removed with at-home brushing alone and can lead to gum disease if left untreated.
- Polishing: Next, the dental hygienist will polish your teeth with a varnish to help them look their best.
- Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste or Fluoride Treatments as Recommended: If Dr. Ellis recommends it, your dental cleaning will end with a holistic nano-hydroxyapatite or traditional fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth’s enamel until your next dental cleaning in six months.
What Are The Benefits of Dental Cleanings?
Having your teeth cleaned at the dentist can provide an array of benefits to people of all ages. Some of these include:
- Preventing oral health problems from developing.
- Preventing minor oral health problems from progressing into serious ones.
- Combating bad breath.
- Helping you maintain an attractive smile.
- Boosting self-esteem.
How Often Should You Get Dental Cleanings?
Like routine dental exams, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children and adults have their teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. Dr. Ellis may suggest having your teeth cleaned more frequently if you’re diagnosed with a particular dental concern, such as gum disease or heavy tartar build-up.
Schedule Your Next Dental Cleaning at Longpoint Dental
Prioritizing your oral health doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult. By practicing good oral hygiene habits at home every day and visiting the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings, you may be surprised by how good your mouth looks, feels, and functions. If you’re overdue for a visit to the dentist in Franklin, TN, the trusted team at Longpoint Dental is here for you. Contact us today to schedule your next dental cleaning appointment!