Dental Cleanings Woodland Hills

Dental Cleanings: Truth Behind the Myths

You floss at least once a day, brush your teeth twice a day, and do your best to take care of your smile. But even with a strict and effective daily oral hygiene routine, your dentist should still play an important role when it comes to your dental health! Regular dental cleaning procedures are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, yet many patients avoid these treatments because of the myths they have heard about them. Keep reading to discover the truth and see why it’s so important to schedule a dental cleaning in Woodland Hills with Dr. Pearl Zadeh as soon as possible.

Myth: You only need to schedule two dental cleanings per year.

Fact: Everyone is different, which means everyone’s dental needs are different! While dentists recommend scheduling at least two dental cleanings each year, it’s important to talk to your dentist about your lifestyle, oral health, and future goals to determine how often you should come in for scheduled cleanings. If you can’t afford the cost of extra dental cleanings without insurance, talk to your dentist about other options.

Myth: Regular dental cleanings will prevent all cavities.

Fact: Having your teeth cleaned by a professional will help remove the hard-to-reach bacteria and tartar that can lead to gum disease—but even the best dentist can’t prevent all cavities from forming if the patient isn’t committed to their dental health. It’s still your job to take care of your teeth at home. You can do this by brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and avoiding food and drinks that can leave residue behind on your teeth, increasing your risk of getting cavities.

Myth: Dental cleanings can harm your teeth by stripping the enamel.

Fact: You might have heard that brushing your teeth too aggressively can damage the enamel, so now you’re worried that regular dental cleanings will also harm your enamel. It is true that aggressive brushing can be harmful, but you shouldn’t worry about professional dental cleanings stripping your enamel. If anyone knows how to clean teeth without damaging them, it’s your dentist and dental hygienist! Even a deep teeth cleaning will not erode your enamel, and the benefits of deep cleaning outweigh any concerns. Regular dental cleaning procedures can help protect your enamel and keep your teeth in great condition.

Myth: You don’t need regular cleanings if you have a lot of dental implants.

Fact: Dental cleanings aren’t just designed to clean your teeth—they also clean your gums as well as the space between your teeth. Even if you have a smile full of beautiful dental implants, it’s still important to visit your dentist regularly for a dental cleaning. During these appointments, your dentist can also inspect your implants and look for any issues that might be a concern in the future.

Myth: Your dental hygienist can diagnose tooth decay.

Fact: A regular teeth cleaning procedure can be performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. While your dental hygienist will do an excellent job of cleaning your teeth and gums, he or she won’t be able to diagnose any tooth decay during this type of treatment. This is why it’s important to still see your dentist for regular visits to look for signs of tooth decay and other problems!

Myth: If you have a dental cleaning performed twice a year, you don’t need to have an annual checkup.

Fact: Like we mentioned above, your annual checkup is an essential part of your dental health routine that you should never skip! Even if you’re good about taking care of your teeth at home and get professional cleanings done once every six months, you’ll still want to see your friendly and knowledgeable dentist regularly and have her look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems. You can also talk to your dentist about any concerns you have regarding your dental health.

Myth: Cleanings are bad for your teeth because they disturb the natural balance of bacteria.

Fact: This one is just silly! Your dentist and dental hygienist know how to properly care for and clean your teeth and gums, so you can feel confident when you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair for any type of service. Regular teeth cleanings help to maintain the balance of bacteria in your mouth.

Myth: You can only get a dental cleaning procedure if you consent to have a fluoride treatment.

Fact: Fluoride can be beneficial for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, but just like with most things, too much of this good thing can be a bad thing! Too much fluoride can lead to pits and stains in the enamel, so don’t feel obligated to consent to have a fluoride treatment when you go in for a dental cleaning, especially if you already use a toothpaste or mouthwash with fluoride.

If you're looking for a teeth cleaning near Woodland Hills, you can schedule your next dental cleaning, with  Dr. Pearl Zadeh today! Call our Woodland Hills office at (818) 716-6722 to schedule an appointment or chat online directly with our front office and learn more about our dental services.