Dental Cleaning
Have you had your teeth cleaned recently? If not, it’s the perfect time to make an appointment for a dental cleaning in Brentwood with the professionals at Middle Tennessee Prosthodontics.
Here at Middle Tennessee Prosthodontics, our general dentistry services include professional cleanings and exams. We have two full-time dental hygienists on staff to ensure we meet the needs of our patients.
Call today to find out more about our dental cleaning services and their importance, or to book an appointment.
Caring Cleanings for Better Oral Health in Brentwood
As the home to the highest-trained board-certified prosthodontists within 400 miles, we provide highly specialized services for patients who have tooth damage, decay, or loss. We offer preventive services like cleanings because we’d rather keep your smile healthy before it gets damaged to the point of needing tooth restorations.
With routine cleanings, you can prevent tooth damage and loss. Routine cleanings deter gum disease, cavities, and more.
We want to emphasize the importance of these routine, preventive treatments because we would rather you have a beautiful, healthy smile without issues than need to utilize our prosthodontic services.
How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Cleaned?
A good rule of thumb for most people is to receive teeth cleanings every 6 months or twice a year, but it does depend on your specific dental and medical health history.
Some people are more prone to plaque buildup, tooth decay, or gum disease than others. Many dental concerns are influenced by genetic factors or by medical conditions and medications. So, you may benefit from more frequent cleanings to keep your teeth healthy and prevent cavities and other concerns.
During an appointment, our dental hygienists and dentists will make recommendations for you specifically.
Cases Where Extra Cleanings Can Help
While most patients benefit from dental cleanings every 6 months, some smiles need more frequent care to stay healthy. Certain health conditions, genetic factors, and life changes can increase your risk for plaque buildup, inflammation, and gum disease. In these cases, additional cleanings help protect your oral health and prevent more complex concerns.
What’s the Purpose of a Dental Cleaning?
The primary purpose of a dental cleaning is to maintain the health of your teeth and gums by removing plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing can’t eliminate. Even with diligent at-home care, bacteria can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas, leading to plaque formation.
Over time, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), which adheres strongly to tooth surfaces and can only be removed with professional dental instruments. Professional cleanings are essential because tartar buildup can lead to serious dental issues if left untreated, including periodontal disease and tooth loss.
What to Expect During Your Cleaning
During your appointment at our Brentwood office, our experienced dental hygienists use specialized tools to thoroughly clean your teeth, targeting these stubborn deposits. This process not only prevents cavities and gum disease but also helps to freshen your breath and enhance your overall oral health.
In addition to the cleaning, you may receive X-rays to detect any underlying issues and dental sealants to protect vulnerable areas of your teeth. Regular dental cleanings are a crucial part of a preventive approach to dental care, allowing us to catch and manage problems before they worsen.
During your visit, our doctors will take a picture of the current state of your dental health and what is needed to keep your oral hygiene at its best.
Our Cleaning Process
A dental cleaning is a straightforward process. The more consistent you are with cleanings, the smoother the appointments will go. If you need extra care, such as sedation dentistry, we can also provide assistance to help you feel more comfortable.
During cleaning, the process goes like this:
- First, the hygienist uses instruments to remove tartar and plaque
- Next, they will use a soft device and special paste to remove bacteria from your teeth
- Then, the hygienist will floss your teeth, and
- Finally, likely provide a fluoride treatment
- After the cleaning, one of our dentists will examine your teeth for cavities and ask if you have any concerns
How Dental Cleanings Help Prevent Gum Disease and Gingivitis
Gum disease often begins quietly, starting as gingivitis—mild inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. Without regular care, this buildup can harden into tartar and lead to more advanced periodontal concerns.
Routine dental cleanings play a critical role in preventing this progression by removing plaque and tartar in areas that brushing and flossing alone cannot reach.
Our cleanings are designed to protect both your teeth and your gums. By keeping the gumline clear and monitoring for early signs of inflammation, we help maintain a healthy foundation for your smile. Regular visits also allow us to identify subtle changes in your gum health and recommend care before more complex treatment is needed.
Routine Dental Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
Not all cleanings are the same, and the right approach depends on your gum health.
These are preventive visits recommended every 6 months. During a routine cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed from above the gumline and slightly below it. This helps maintain healthy gums and prevents gingivitis from developing or returning.
If gum disease has progressed beyond gingivitis, a deeper level of care may be recommended. Scaling and root planing involves cleaning below the gumline to remove bacteria and buildup from the roots of your teeth. The root surfaces are then smoothed to help the gums reattach and heal.
Both types of cleanings are essential—they simply serve different purposes. Routine cleanings help you stay ahead of gum disease, while deep cleanings are used to restore gum health when more advanced care is needed.
Dental Cleanings FAQs
Contact Us for an Appointment!
Has it been 6 months or more since you had a dental cleaning? While it’s easy to let these dental visits slip your mind with a busy schedule, routine dental care is crucial to having a beautiful smile free of discomfort.
We are taking new and returning patients for general dentistry services. Just give us a call to make an appointment at our convenient Brentwood office!