The foods and drinks we consume can leave behind particles that allow plaque and tartar buildup to form. This can be exacerbated by poor oral hygiene too! Which is why we recommend having your buildup removed with a dental cleaning every few months. In today’s blog, your Celina, TX, dentist talks about how we remove harmful layers with a professional dental cleaning.
The Causes and Dangers of Plaque
As we mentioned above, factors like poor brushing and flossing and a diet high in sugar and starch can lead to plaque and tartar. This sticky layer coats your teeth and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. Eventually, this hardens into tartar. These layers can weaken and erode outer enamel to make cavities and infection possible. The same layers also irritate and inflame the gums to cause issues like gingivitis and gum disease. There is also a higher risk of bad breath and teeth stains! Fortunately, we can remove them completely.
The Dental Cleaning
We recommend a dental cleaning every six months for patients of all ages, including kids as young as age two. This visit allows our team to remove harmful buildup and protect the smile. To remove plaque and tartar, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device, which emits gentle vibrations to remove the buildup completely from the teeth. If there are any stubborn portions of tartar left behind, we can remove these with a manual pick. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and we complete it by polishing your teeth. Not only does this last step brighten your smile, but it makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar to cling to your teeth before your next appointment!
Scaling and Root Planing
If we discover that you have gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease, then we may recommend a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. Using the same tools, we will remove buildup from both the teeth and the roots. This is more involved, so we will numb your smile beforehand. For some, this could take one visit or several, and we will again finish the procedure by polishing your smile. Afterward, we may recommend traditional cleanings every three to four months to control buildup and manage the disease.
If you have any questions about how we remove plaque and tartar, or if you want to schedule a visit with our team, then contact our office today to learn more.
Schedule Your Visit for a Preventive Dental Visit
Our team wants to help you protect your teeth and gums with preventive dentistry. Contact Celina Family Dentistry in Celina, TX by calling 214-851-0130 to schedule your next appointment and safeguard your smile.
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