The Importance of Professional Teeth Cleaning & How Often to Go

A bright, healthy smile is something to be proud of. However, without proper oral hygiene, your pearly whites can quickly become stained, develop cavities, or succumb to gum disease. While daily brushing and flossing are crucial, they aren't enough on their own. To fully protect your oral health, regular professional teeth cleanings are also essential.

Here at Beam Dental, in multiple locations New York and New Jersey, we want to help you learn more about the importance of professional teeth cleaning in NJ and NY for maintaining oral health, including why professional dental cleanings are so vital, what can happen if you don't get them regularly, how often you should get your teeth cleaned professionally, and any potential disadvantages. Armed with this knowledge, you'll better understand the integral role teeth cleanings play in maintaining your beautiful, confident smile, and overall oral wellbeing.

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Why Should I Go To My Routine Dental Cleaning?

You may ask. While brushing and flossing remove surface plaque from your teeth, they cannot reach deeper buildup between teeth and under the gumline. Over time, this buildup hardens into tartar that brushing simply can’t remove. The bacteria in plaque and tartar produce acids that erode tooth enamel and irritate gums. This can lead to oral health issues, such as cavities, gum infection, and eventually tooth loss, if left untreated.

Professional dental cleanings remove this harmful buildup, helping prevent:

Cavities - Plaque buildup is the #1 cause of cavities. By removing this before it can harden into tartar, professional teeth cleanings prevent the tooth decay process.
Gum disease - Tartar below the gumline breeds bacteria that causes gingivitis. This can progress to advanced periodontitis without professional removal.
Tooth loss - Untreated cavities and gum disease are two leading causes of adult tooth loss. Professional teeth cleanings help avoid this.
Bad breath - Bacteria caught between teeth and gums cause odors. A professional cleaning freshens breath by eliminating these bacteria.
Discolored teeth - Coffee, red wine, smoking, and certain foods can stain your enamel over time. Professional dental cleanings remove these stains.
Systemic issues - Oral bacteria entering the bloodstream through diseased gums may increase risk for some major health issues like heart disease. Professional teeth cleanings combat this bacteria.

Why Regular Dental Cleanings Matter

Skipping your routine dental cleanings means your smile isn’t getting the refresh it deserves. Professional cleanings help maintain a bright, healthy mouth and prevent minor issues from turning into bigger concerns. Preventive care is smart care for our dental wellbeing. Here’s what regular visits help you avoid:

The buildup of plaque and tartar – Without regular cleanings, plaque naturally accumulates and hardens into tartar, which can dull your smile over time.
Stronger, healthier teeth – Keeping up with cleanings helps protect your enamel from acid buildup, supporting long-term dental health.
Healthy gums – Gentle cleanings keep gums fresh and free from irritation, preventing discomfort and the need for extensive treatments down the line.
Brighter smile – Professional cleanings remove stubborn stains and tartar buildup, helping your teeth stay fresh and radiant.
Fresher breath – A clean mouth means fresh breath, with bacteria and odor-causing buildup kept at bay.
More affordable care – Preventive care is the easiest way to avoid more complex (and costly) treatments later on.
Whole-body wellness – A healthy smile contributes to overall well-being, as good oral health is linked to heart health, reduced inflammation, and better systemic health.

Think of your routine cleanings as a spa treatment for your smile—keeping it polished, refreshed, and healthy for years to come!

How Often Should You Get a Prophylaxis?

Most people should get an oral prophylaxis every 6 months. However, your ideal frequency depends on your unique oral health status and risk factors:

Higher risk - If you have a history of frequent cavities or gum disease, your dentist may recommend professional dental cleanings every 3-4 months.
Periodontal disease - If you have been diagnosed with any stage of gum disease, you will likely need more frequent professional teeth cleanings determined by your dentist.
Braces/aligners - With orthodontic appliances, food and plaque easily become trapped and require more diligent professional removal.
Pregnancy - Hormonal changes during pregnancy can worsen gum inflammation. More frequent professional teeth cleanings may help control this.
Medical conditions - Diabetes and other systemic diseases that impair healing often necessitate more vigorous oral hygiene.
Tobacco use - Smoking increases plaque buildup and gum recession, meaning more frequent professional dental attention is needed.

Ask your dentist how often they recommend scheduling routine dental cleanings based on your specific situation. As long as you come in regularly, you’ll reap the full benefits of it.

Potential Downsides of Frequent Deep Cleanings

While deep dental cleanings are highly effective in removing tartar below the gumline, they can:

Cause temporary gum sensitivity and may require multiple visits, depending on the severity of buildup.
For those with a history of gum disease, deep cleanings may need to be repeated periodically to maintain oral health

However, despite these drawbacks, treating subgingival tartar early helps prevent serious complications like gum infections, bone loss, and tooth loss.

Your dentist can assess your specific needs and recommend the best approach to keep your gums and teeth in top shape. If you’ve been advised to undergo a deep cleaning, think of it as a reset for your oral health—one that keeps your smile strong and healthy for years to come.

Maintain Your Healthy Smile With Professional Cleanings

Along with your daily home hygiene routine, dental teeth cleanings help ensure your smile stays bright, fresh, and healthy for years to come. Don’t wait until you develop issues to schedule your next cleaning. Routine professional cleanings are true preventive care, stopping small problems before they have a chance to become more complex and costly.

If it's been more than 6 months since your last dental cleaning in NY or NJ, contact us at Beam Dental today to schedule your next visit. Investing just a little time and effort into regular professional dental cleanings goes a long way toward protecting your teeth and smiling for a lifetime. At Beam Dental, best dental care is available in locations convenient for you beyond routine cleanings. We cover all your dental needs from checkups to treatment, from cosmetics to orthodontics and full oral reconstruction.