Professional Teeth Cleanings in Bowling Green, KY 

What are Dental Cleanings?  

A dental cleaning involves the removal of plaque and tartar from teeth to prevent oral diseases like cavities and gum disease. For most people, two visits to the dentist each year are recommended. But if you have a high risk of dental disease, we may recommend that you visit Dr. Cox every three to four months. High-risk patients include smokers, people with diabetes, people who currently have gum disease, people with a weak immune system, and people who tend to develop cavities and plaque buildup.  

Benefits of getting regular dental cleaning include:   

• Plaque and tartar removal: Plaque is the bacteria that builds up around your teeth, and when it isn’t removed, it will eventually turn into tartar and cause cavities and gum disease. Although you can remove plaque yourself through brushing and flossing, tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. 
• Stay on top of your oral health: Dental cleanings are essential even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home because many dental problems aren’t visible, painful, or bothersome until they have reached an advanced stage. Your dental cleaning appointment allows us to remove the disease-causing bacteria in plaque and tartar and spot any issues like gum disease and cavities early when they’re easily treatable and even reversible.  

What Happens at a Routine Dental Cleaning?  

Here’s what you can expect when you come for a dental cleaning at Cox Family Dentistry:  

• Removal of Plaque and Tartar: First, we’ll remove the plaque and tartar around your gum line and between your teeth using a scaler and a small mirror. You may hear some scraping on your teeth, but you should not experience discomfort.  
• Polishing: Next, we use gritty toothpaste and a special high-powered brush to deep clean and polish your teeth and remove any remaining tartar, leaving you with a smooth and shiny smile.   
• Professional Flossing: Even if you already floss at home, the hygienist will still floss deeply between your teeth and gums in areas you may have missed. Once your teeth are completely clean, we’ll rinse your mouth to remove any leftover debris, residue, and toothpaste. During this step, we may ask about your flossing habits, point out areas of concern, and recommend techniques to help. 
• Fluoride Treatment (if necessary): Depending on your teeth’ condition, we may apply a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth against cavities until your next appointment.