Besides regular dental check-ups, getting professional dental cleanings in Hopedale, IL, is key to maintaining a healthy mouth. During these cleanings, hygienists use various tools to remove all plaque buildup that you can’t see easily with the naked eye, preventing the accumulation that eventually leads to decay.
This is especially important after an oral surgery or a tooth extraction. However, during your first few days, your mouth is still sore, making it better to wait a bit until your next dental cleaning. Here, we’ll explore when it’s the best time to go back—and keep your mouth healthy!
The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings
Regular professional cleanings are crucial to protecting your smile, especially if you recently had oral surgery. Tooth extraction sites can easily become infected, even after the area has healed, causing painful conditions like pericoronitis.
Moreover, restorations such as crowns and bridges tend to trap plaque at the margins, making patients more prone to gum disease. By maintaining frequent cleanings, people who have restored their smiles can prevent decay or gum inflammation and keep their oral health for longer.
But when can you return to get your teeth cleaned after the procedure?
Dental Cleaning After a Tooth Extraction (1 to 2 Weeks)
Waiting 7 to 14 days following tooth extraction is advised before scheduling a professional dental cleaning.
After a tooth extraction, your mouth is more susceptible to infection and problems like dry socket, a painful condition in which the blood clot in the socket becomes dislodged. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to promoting healing and keeping the area clean, but excessively forceful cleaning can backfire.
Waiting 1 to 2 weeks can reduce the possibility of irritation or infection and permit the extraction site to start healing. Still, you should consult with your oral surgeon before scheduling a dental cleaning.
Dental Cleaning After an Implant Placement
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial after getting dental implants. Although implants don’t decay like natural teeth, they can still accumulate bacteria, which can lead to gum inflammation.
Left unaddressed, persistent gum inflammation can develop into periodontal disease and ultimately cause dental implants to fail. Regular dental cleanings are advised to prevent this.
You can typically get one two weeks after surgery. Nevertheless, make sure to remind your other dental healthcare providers of your recent surgery. Implants need to be cleaned using delicate, specialized methods to preserve the surrounding tissues and abutments.
Dental Cleaning After a Full Mouth Reconstruction
You can typically resume regular dental cleanings within 3 to 6 months after completing a full mouth reconstruction—but timing depends on what types of treatments you received:
- If you’ve had various surgical procedures (like implant placement or gum graft), your dentist may wait 4 to 6 weeks for soft tissue healing before performing a routine cleaning.
- For non-surgical restorations (crowns, bridges, veneers, etc.), you can typically get a cleaning as soon as two weeks after treatment, once any sensitivity subsides and the final restorations are in place.
For the first year following a reconstruction, many dentists advise more frequent cleanings (every three to four months) to monitor the restorations and promote the best possible healing. This regimen might be continuous if you have a history of poor oral hygiene or are more susceptible to gum disease.
Protect Your New Smile with Regular Dental Cleanings in Hopedale, IL
Regular dental cleanings are a fundamental treatment in dentistry—and with reason. Even after a full mouth restoration, your mouth can accumulate plaque and bacteria over time, putting all your dental work and investment at risk.
If you’re still unsure when the best time for your next cleaning appointment is, Smalltown Dental can help. Contact us today for more information!
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