Regular dental cleanings are part of a healthy oral care routine. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting the dentist at least twice a year. This helps ensure there are no progressing issues and helps prevent future problems from developing.
If you’re searching for “dental cleanings near me” in Chicago, IL, contact Northalsted Dental Spa today. Our experienced dental professionals are here to make sure your smile stays healthy and beautiful!
Why Are Dental Cleanings Important?
Professional teeth cleanings are essential for maintaining your oral health and smile appearance. Even with excellent brushing and flossing habits, plaque can gather in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. This eventually leads to cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other dental problems if left untreated.
Regular cleanings prevent these issues while also keeping your smile white and clean. Frequent visits also allow our team to identify and treat minor dental problems quickly.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Cleaning?
After your dental exam is complete, you can expect the following during your teeth cleaning:
- Plaque Removal: We remove buildup above and below the gumline, paying special attention to hard-to-reach areas.
- Cleaning and Polishing: Using specialized tools, we clean and polish your teeth to remove stains.
- Expert Flossing: We floss your teeth to ensure all spaces between them are clean.
- Thorough Rinse: We rinse your teeth and gums with water to clear away any remaining debris and give you a clean, fresh feeling.
- Fluoride Treatment: If recommended, we apply a fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth against decay.
- Discussion: We conclude by providing dental hygiene tips and answering questions about maintaining your oral health between visits.
How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
A typical cleaning and exam at Northalsted Dental Spa takes between 45 to 60 minutes. For most patients, the cleaning itself only lasts about 30 minutes while the exam portion can take around the same length of time. We may need additional time if X-rays are due or there’s significant plaque buildup.
FAQs About Cleanings
How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
How often a dental cleaning should be done depends on your specific oral health needs. For most patients, we recommend getting a professional cleaning every 6 months.
Is a Dental Deep Cleaning Ever Really Necessary?
Sometimes, a standard dental cleaning isn’t enough to address serious gum health issues. Deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, becomes necessary when you have gum disease (periodontal disease) that can’t be treated with routine cleaning alone.
Your dentist will likely recommend a deep cleaning if they notice:
- Pockets forming between your teeth and gums
- Plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line
- Loose teeth
- Early stages of jaw bone loss
Unlike regular cleanings that focus mainly on the visible surfaces of your teeth, a deep cleaning reaches further beneath your gums to remove harmful bacteria and tartar buildup.
While this procedure might sound intimidating, it’s a crucial treatment that can help prevent the progression of gum disease. At Northalsted Dental Spa, we only recommend deep cleanings when they’re truly necessary for your dental health.
How Long After a Dental Cleaning Can I Eat?
You should wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking after a professional cleaning. For best results, try to avoid hot, acidic, sticky, or crunchy foods for a few hours.
Does Teeth Cleaning Remove Stains?
A professional dental cleaning can effectively remove many surface stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, etc. However, while our advanced tools and techniques can lift most superficial stains, deeper discoloration may require additional treatment.
At Northalsted Dental Spa, we can recommend the best options for achieving your smile goals. We’ll also determine if you’re a good candidate for professional teeth whitening.
Schedule Your Dental Visit
Scheduling a teeth cleaning is one of the easiest ways to stay on top of oral health issues. Contact our team at Northalsted Dental Spa today to book your appointment. We look forward to helping your smile shine bright!
