There’s many myths about the dentist’s office, but a lot of them seem to center around cleaning. Not everyone actually likes getting their teeth cleaned, so it makes sense that so many would make the claim that you only need to go once a year, maybe twice a year, and some say it’s okay to skip the ordeal altogether. These myths are simply not true. Even patients with excellent oral hygiene need to go for a cleaning twice a year, but there is a large percentage of people who need to go more often than that.

A teeth cleaning can seem like a dreaded experience, but it’s actually very simple when you know what is going on. First, the dental hygienist will take a mirror and look for signs of cavities or anything out of the ordinary. Next, they use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth so they can proceed. Then comes the gritty toothpaste cleaning, which makes a horrible sound but is actually a great way to deep clean the surface of your teeth. Then the dental hygienist will floss, rinse, and apply fluoride treatment to your teeth. None of that is bad generally speaking. If you, like many others, experience discomfort during the flossing part, all you have to do is start flossing at home. It’s as simple as that!

Some people have something called periodontal disease, which has to do with the lining of your gums. This could mean you have gum inflammation, loss of ligaments, or even bone loss. Whatever the cause may be, your dentist will suggest you set up an appointment for a deep cleaning. During a deep clean, your dentist has to get deeper into your gums to fix the problem. This will involve anesthetic to numb your mouth, and the dentist will get the bacteria out of your gums. Once the procedure is over, you will most likely be asked to come back every 2-4 months to keep the bacteria away. Even if your gums healed after the initial cleaning, that does not mean the bacteria won’t come back. Your only safe bet is to keep coming back for cleanings to keep your oral hygiene in check.

Agoura Dental Group has proudly served our community for over 10 years. Our dentists treat patients from Westlake Village, Oak Park, Malibu, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and some from as far as Los Angeles. Want to learn more about routine and deep cleanings, or schedule an appointment with our dentist or dental hygienist now? Call us for your complimentary consultation!