Unlock the benefits of deep cleaning teeth with SmileOn Centreville. Book your appointment now for a healthier, brighter smile!

It Helps to Prevent Cavities

The term cavities is just another word for tooth decay, and it can result in pain or even a serious infection. Making regular appointments with your dentist for a professional dental cleaning is recommended to keep cavities under control. 

Aside from good oral health habits like brushing and flossing daily, seeing your dentist for cleanings can also help to prevent cavities. A build-up of plaque will eventually wear away at the tooth enamel and lead to cavities unless you keep things in check.



When you visit your dentist, they'll not only look for the presence of cavities, but they'll identify any risks of you developing them in the future. They'll also remove any excess tartar and plaque using special tools, helping you keep your teeth healthy for longer.

Cleanings Help Prevent Gum Disease

Gingivitis or gum disease usually starts because there is excess plaque around the teeth and along the gumline. As it worsens, the plaque moves further down the tooth and poses a threat to the supporting bone in the jaw.

When the jaw bone is weakened or damaged, your teeth could become loose and fall out. Fortunately, regular dental exams and cleanings help to prevent gum disease before things get to this point. 



Your dentist will be able to identify the presence of gum disease and take the necessary steps to treat it or present it. The sooner you get the issue identified, the greater the chances are that you'll be able to keep your natural teeth and enjoy a healthy mouth and beautiful smile. 

Early Detection of Problems

While your dentist is deep cleaning your teeth to help you look and feel your best, it's also an integral part of early detection for several issues so you can maintain a healthy smile. After you've scheduled an exam and cleaning with your dentist, they'll look for things like:

• Jaw bone health and condition
• Signs of cracked or damaged teeth
• Symptoms of gum disease
• Excess plaque and/or tartar



The sooner your dentist can identify these issues, the better chances you'll have at getting them treated before things get out of control. Choosing an experienced dentist with years of experience who performs thorough exams at each cleaning is the key to protecting your dental health for years to come. 

Deep Cleaning Teeth Protects Your Mouth

A deep teeth cleaning involves using a tool called a dental scaler which helps the dentist manually scrape excess plaque from the teeth above and below the gum line. The dentist might also use a special ultrasonic tool with a vibrating metal tip and a water spray to wash the removed tartar away.

If you need root planing, your dentist will use a rubbing motion to smooth rough spots on the roots of your teeth. This process makes it more difficult for bacteria to stick to the gums in the future, preserving your oral health. 

An antibiotic gel may be applied to your teeth during the process to help kill any germs and bacteria that are hard to reach. In some cases, you might also receive a prescription for an antibiotic oral rinse. The entire process is much more intense than a traditional cleaning, and most patients must return for two sessions to ensure that the entire thing is completed. 

This process may cause some discomfort, but it will also help to prevent more serious dental issues from occurring, namely cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Your teeth may be sensitive after the deep cleaning, but this should subside and completely go away after a few days. 

When to See a Dentist Between Cleanings

Patients should schedule regular cleanings with their dentist every six months. However, there may be times when you need to see your dentist before your next appointment. 

First, if you're dealing with tooth pain that doesn't subside, it could mean that you have:

• Cavities or an abscessed tooth
• Damaged or broken teeth
• Damaged fillings
• Your wisdom teeth are coming in

Severe oral pain may also be a sign of a tooth infection. If this is happening to you, it's vital to see your dentist right away to get treatment so the infection doesn't spread or get worse. Unusual or sudden tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold food or beverages, is a likely indicator of a cavity.

If your gums are swollen, tender, or bleeding, you may have either periodontitis or gingivitis. Gum disease is not only uncomfortable and painful, but it can threaten the integrity of your teeth and cause them to become loose or fall out altogether.



Minor or occasional bad breath is completely normal, but if it's persistent, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Tough bad breath that doesn't go away could mean that you have a cavity, early-stage gum disease, your dental accessories aren't fitting properly, or oral thrush, which is a yeast infection of the mouth. If you experience one or all of these issues, we highly recommend that you schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Clean Teeth, Healthy Mouth

Whether you're getting a traditional cleaning or your dentist is deep cleaning teeth to remove plaque and tartar, there are many benefits to getting regular dental cleanings. Aside from better breath and a more beautiful smile, these cleanings can help to identify and prevent problems before they get too severe.



If you're looking for the best dentist in Centreville, VA, the caring and experienced team at SmileOn Centreville is here to help, so give us a call to schedule your consultation or to make an appointment today!