Removing Plaque With A Cleaning

Over time, everything from poor oral hygiene to a diet with sugar-rich foods and drinks could lead to plaque and tartar buildup. This not only makes stains more visible, but could leave your smile vulnerable to decay and disease. Which is why you need a dental cleaning! In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about removing plaque buildup.

The Causes of Plaque and Tartar

How does plaque form on our smiles? This could be brought on by foods and drinks high in sugar and starch, which leave behind particles for bacteria to consume, the process that creates plaque. Lack of proper brushing and flossing, and infrequent visits for six-month cleanings, could also allow these particles to remain trapped on or between teeth for bacteria to access. The buildup hardens with time into tartar, and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. Without removal, this could weaken enamel to create cavities, or inflame gums to case gingivitis or even gum disease. Other complications include bad breath and teeth stains!

Traditional Dental Cleanings

A traditional dental cleaning should happen twice a year. Essentially, our team will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently and thoroughly break up and remove all plaque buildup and tartar. The teeth will then be polished for a brighter appearance and smoother finish. The process only takes a few minutes, and helps protect the health and beauty of your smile. This is recommended for kids starting at age two, and for everyone else. But if you have severe buildup and experience the warning signs of periodontal issues, such as sore, red, or bleeding gums, then we may recommend a deep cleaning.

A Deep Cleaning

Also known as a scaling and root planing, this removes the layers from both the teeth and the roots. We will administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable, and the process could take between one and two visits, or up to four, all depending on how severe the buildup actually is. We then polish the teeth. This could help manage gum disease moving forward, and may suggest a traditional cleaning every three to four months to safeguard your smile and avoid worsening symptoms or tooth loss. If you have any questions about these routine preventive procedures, or if you would like to schedule a visit for you or a family member, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to protect your oral health!

Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Keeping Smiles Clean

Our team is ready to prevent the negative impacts of serious buildup. For more information on safeguarding your teeth and gums, contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234.