Which Dental Cleaning Do You Need?

Over time, plaque and tartar coat our teeth and without treatment to remove it, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease can increase. Which is why you may need a traditional or perio cleaning, to remove buildup and safeguard the smile. In today’s blog, your Celina, TX, dentist talks about the importance of this preventive visit and which kind your smile might need!

The Risks of Plaque and Tartar

When harmful oral bacteria consume the particles of sugar left behind by our foods and drinks, this elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque, a sticky byproduct that clings to the teeth and hardens into tartar with time. Without treatment, these layers can weaken and erode enamel to cause tooth decay. The buildup also inflames the gums to increase the risk of gingivitis and gum disease. You could also be more susceptible to bad breath and teeth stains!

The Traditional Dental Cleaning

While brushing and flossing are critical for protecting teeth, these actions on their own cannot remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup. Instead, you need a dental cleaning to accomplish this. We recommend one every six months for patients of all ages, from kids to adults. Our team will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently break up and remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. The process only takes a few minutes, and we polish the teeth afterward to not only brighten the smile, but make it more difficult for buildup to accumulate before your next office visit.

Scaling and Root Planing

What if you have gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease? If so, you may need a more involved procedure known as a scaling and root planing. We again use the same tools to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, but we also remove buildup from the exposed roots and from beneath the gum line. For some, this takes one visit while others may need up to four. We can administer a local numbing agent to keep you comfortable and again, we will polish the teeth afterward.

If you have any questions about how we fight harmful buildup with a cleaning procedure, or if you want to schedule a visit with our team, then contact our team today to learn more. In the meantime, you can reduce the severity of buildup with daily brushing and flossing, a diet low in sugar and starch, and of course, a visit to our team.

Are You Ready for a Good Night’s Rest?

We want to help you enjoy a strong and healthy smile with a professional cleaning visit. To schedule an appointment with Celina Family Dentistry in Celina, TX, call (214) 851-0130.