Even if you brush and floss as we recommend, this doesn’t remove all the plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. To do so and lower your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, you need a dental cleaning. In today’s blog, your Celina, TX, dentist looks at both traditional dental cleanings and perio cleanings too!
The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar Buildup
Over time, buildup can form on the surfaces of our teeth. Known as plaque, this is the result of bacteria consuming particles of sugar and starch in our smiles, which creates a buildup that weakens outer enamel and inflames then gums, leaving us more susceptible to tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and even gum disease. The plaque hardens into tartar with time, and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. Which is why we urge people to see us every six months for a visit, so we can help safeguard smiles of all ages against poor oral health.
The Traditional Six-Month Option
The traditional dental cleaning is helpful for all ages. We simply use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to gently break up and remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. The process only takes a short period, and we always complete the process by polishing the smile. This offers brighter smiles and also makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar to cling to the surfaces of the teeth before your next visit in six months. In the meantime, be sure in addition to cutting back on the sugar and starch in your diet, you also brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss every evening, which helps limit the seventy of buildup too.
The Perio Alternative
What if you have the early warning signs of gum disease, or gingivitis? If you have sore, red, and bleeding gums, or notice tissues swelling or receding, this could mean you need a perio cleaning to help make the disease manageable and prevent the later stages, which are linked to adult tooth loss! With a perio cleaning, we will use the same tools but also remote buildup from the roots and beneath the gum line too. This is more involved, and we will numb the smile, beforehand to ensure your comfort. The procedure could take one visit or up to four, and we will suggest traditional cleanings every three to four months to manage it properly and protect your smile from periodontitis.
If you have any questions about how we protect your smile with these preventive treatments, then contact our team today to learn more.
Schedule a Visit for Preventive Dental Care
If you want to obtain a healthier smile or would like to schedule your appointment, call Celina Family Dentistry in Celina, TX at (214) 851-0130.
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