How Dental Cleanings Fight Gum Disease And More
A dental cleaning helps protect your oral health and keep your smile free of cavities and periodontal disease. Which is why we recommend people have one every six months, offered as part of your checkup visit. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about how we use cleanings to help smiles stay bright and healthy.
The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar Buildup
When we consume foods and drinks with a lot of sugar or starch, this leaves behind particles clinging to the teeth or stuck between them. As harmful oral bacteria consume these particles, this elevates oral acidity and coaters the teeth in layers of plaque buildup. The sticky buildup is difficult to remove with brushing and flossing alone, and hardens into tartar with time. These layers are linked to tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease, as well as bad breath and dental discoloration. You need a professional cleaning to remove it and safeguard your smile against poor oral health!
Cleaning Your Smile
We recommend a dental cleaning every six months for all patients two and older. The process is a simple one. Our team will employ an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to gently but thoroughly remove all buildup from the teeth and along the gum line. We then polish the teeth, a process that makes them brighter but also makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to the surfaces of them. In between these visits, you can help control the buildup by brushing and flossing each day to remove the particles that would otherwise feed harmful food and drink particles.
The Scaling and Root Planing Process
If you have severe buildup that has caused inflammation, also known as gingivitis, then we may start the management process with a deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and a root planing, this involves removing all bacterial layers from the teeth and beneath the roots, as well as from the exposed root portions. Doing so could take one visit, or two to four, depending on how severe your buildup is and the risk of periodontitis. We again polish the smile, and will recommend traditional cleanings every three to four months afterward to keep your smile healthy and strong.
If you have any questions about how we protect your smile with a dental cleaning, then contact our team today to schedule your next preventive visit.
Speak With Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Removing Harmful Plaque
At Cleveland Family Dentistry, our team offers a professional cleaning to protect your oral health. To schedule an appointment, call our dental office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We also proudly serve patients and their families from Kingwood, New Caney, Conroe, Livingston, Huffman, and all surrounding communities.