Caring about your teeth involves more than brushing and flossing at home every day. While home care is extremely important, it is not sufficient on its own. That is why preventive care, especially dental cleanings & checkups in Southwest Edmonton, plays such a big role in keeping your mouth healthy. By regularly visiting a dentist near you, you can help prevent problems from getting significantly worse and keep your smile healthy for years to come.
What Are Dental Cleanings & Checkups?
Dental cleanings are appointments with your dentist. During that appointment, a dentist will help clean your teeth in ways you cannot at home. Dentists use special instruments to clean your teeth, removing any plaque and tartar from the surfaces. Plaque is a sticky film on your teeth that can build up over time. When plaque builds up, it hardens into tartar. Only a dentist can remove tartar from your teeth.
A checkup occurs during the appointment, and a dentist will look at all of your teeth and how they fit together and assess your gums. This means looking for cavities, gum disease, and other oral problems. Catching these problems early means there are more options for treatment.
Why Do You Need Routine Dental Checkups?
Your mouth is connected to your whole body. When your mouth is healthy, your body stays healthier too. Here are the main reasons why routine dental checkups Southwest Edmonton matter:
- Dentists can find small cavities before they become big problems. Small cavities are less expensive to fix and less invasive than larger cavities.
- Gum disease may irritate your gums, making them red, swollen, or broken. If left untreated, the likelihood of losing your teeth will increase.
- Dentists are responsible for screening the oral cavity for signs of oral cancer as part of their evaluation during check-ups. It is very important to catch oral cancers early; this is when treatment is most effective and lives can be saved.
- When you have clean teeth and healthy gums, you also have fresher breath, as fresh breath often comes from clean teeth and healthy gums.
- It is always cheaper to fix a small problem than to fix it later, when it is now a big problem.
What Happens During Oral Health Checkups Edmonton?
When you visit a dentist near you, here is what usually happens during oral health checkups, Edmonton:
Step 1: Medical History Review
When you visit, the dentist will ask you if anything has changed in your medical history or health status (any new medications, health problems, or issues).
Step 2: Visual Examination
The dentist looks inside your mouth with a small mirror. They check your teeth, gums, tongue, and throat.
Step 3: Professional Cleaning
A dentist will clean your teeth using special cleaning tools:
- Scaler: Used for tartar and plaque removal
- Polisher: Smooths and polishes teeth
- Floss: Helps clean between teeth
Step 4: X-rays (if needed)
X-rays allow the dentist to view the location of potential areas of issues between the teeth and underneath the gum line.
Step 5: Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride makes your teeth stronger and helps prevent cavities.
How Often Should You Get Cleanings?
For most people, dental cleanings are needed every 6 months; however, most will need them more often. Your dental professional will share with you their recommendation to benefit your mouth.
| Age Group | Recommended Frequency | Special Notes |
| Children (3-12) | Every 6 months | Help build good habits |
| Teenagers (13-18) | Every 6 months | Watch for wisdom teeth |
| Adults (19-64) | Every 6 months | May need more if gum disease is present |
| Seniors (65+) | Every 4-6 months | More prone to gum disease |
What You Can Do at Home
Professional cleanings are critical, but daily care at home matters, too:
- Brush at Least Twice a Day: Use fluoride toothpaste. Brush for a minimum of two minutes each time.
- Floss Once a Day: Helps to remove food and plaque from between teeth.
- Use Mouthwash: Germs can be removed from the mouth with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
- Eat Healthy Foods: Stick mainly to fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks whenever possible.
- Drink Water: Water is the most helpful substance you can use to help wash away food particles and bacteria from your mouth.
Signs You Need to See a Dentist Right Away
Sometimes you cannot wait for your regular checkup. Call your dentist if you have:
- Tooth pain that does not go away.
- Swollen or bleeding gums.
- A loose tooth
- Bad breath that will not go away.
- White or red patches in your mouth.
- Jaw pain or clicking sounds.
Benefits of Regular Preventive Care
Regular dental cleanings and checkups have many benefits:
- Better Overall Health: Studies show that people with a healthy mouth will have a lower overall risk of heart disease and diabetes.
- Confidence: Clean, healthy teeth will make a person smile more and feel better about themselves.
- Less Pain: Preventing problems means less pain and less time in emergency visits.
- Less Time: Regular short visits will be better than more extended appointments due to treatment.
- Maintain Your Natural Teeth: If you practice good preventive care, you can maintain your own teeth for the rest of your life!
Finding the Right Dental Care
When you are looking for a dentist near you, search for the one who makes you feel comfortable and is friendly during your dental visit. A good dentist will:
- Explain what they are doing.
- Answer your questions
- Be gentle during treatments.
- Help you understand your mouth health.
- Work with your insurance.
Wrapping Up
Preventive dental care is the best investment you can make in your oral health and thus your overall health. Regular dental cleanings ultimately help to keep your mouth healthy and catch problems before they become worse. As discussed, taking care of your teeth today will help prevent bigger problems from occurring tomorrow.
Schedule your Dental Cleanings & Checkups at Smart Dental Art!
Smart Dental Art offers professional dental cleanings and checkups to keep your teeth as well as gums healthy. Our dentist near you uses gentle techniques to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth effectively. Setting regular appointments helps to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues, and every patient walks away comfortable and well cared for.
Book your appointment today to protect your smile!