In our last blog, we explained how a routine checkup every few months can protect your smile. A major part of this visit is the dental cleaning, in which we remove plaque and tartar to protect smiles from issues like tooth decay and gum disease. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist talks about helping smiles with our professional dental cleanings.
The Risks Posed by Plaque and Tartar Buildup
What is plaque? This is a bacterial byproduct that occurs when harmful oral bacteria will break down and consume the particles of sugar and trach left behind by the meals and drinks we enjoy. In the process, this leaves behind a sticky layer on the teeth, which can harden with time into tartar. The buildup is difficult to remove with brushing and flossing, and can irritate and inflame the gums to make the onset of gingivitis and gum disease more likely. The same layers also erode enamel to make cavities possible, and are linked to bad breath and teeth stains. By removing them with a cleaning every six months, we can help safeguard the health and beauty of your smile.
Dental Cleanings
The procedure involves our team removing all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the smile with an ultrasonic scaling device. The machine will emit gentle vibrations that help clear away the buildup from your teeth and along the gum line. We also use a manual pick for the more stubborn portions. Once we remove these layers, our team will then polish the teeth. Not only does this offer a brighter smile, but this also helps make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate before your next visit to our office.
The Scaling and Root Planing Process
If you have already developed serious gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease, then we have a cleaning that could help manage the issue. With a scaling and root planing, we use the same tools but instead of just removing buildup from the teeth, we also do so for the exposed portions of the roots. This helps make periodontal disease manageable with preventive treatment moving forward, such as a traditional cleaning every three to four months and better homecare habits. If you have any questions about how our team will take on harmful buildup with a preventive visit, or if you have sore, red, and bleeding gums in your smile that need a scaling and root planing, then contact our team.
Schedule Your Appointment to Remove Harmful Buildup
By removing plaque and tartar every few months, we can help safeguard your teeth and gums. To learn more about helping your smile shine, call Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN, today at 612) 861-7188.
