Even if you brush and floss every day, you still need professional care to keep your smile healthy and whole. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX, dentist will explain how we use a dental cleaning to remove plaque and protect smiles from not only bad breath and teeth stains, but also painful cavities and gum disease!
The Dangers of Plaque Buildup
Over time, harmful oral bacteria will find and break down the particles left behind by the foods we eat and drink, especially the particles of sugar and starch. This process causes a rise in oral acidity, and then coats the teeth in a sticky layer of bacterial byproduct known as plaque. This buildup cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, and hardens over time into tartar. The buildup could weaken and demineralize outer enamel, and inflame gum tissues too, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, the buildup is linked to bad breath and even stained teeth. So, how do we remove plaque and tartar?
The Cleaning Process
A routine dental cleaning every six months will break up and remove all buildup from the smile. We begin by using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove all buildup from the teeth. We then polish the teeth for a brighter appearance. The process only takes a few minutes, and could help smiles of all ages stay healthy and strong. In fact, we recommend this for everyone over the age of two every six months.
Scaling and Root Planing
A scaling and root planing is also known as a deep cleaning. We reverse these for the early stages of gingivitis and gum disease, offering treatment to manage these issues and prevent the later stage slinked to discomfort and tooth loss. Warning signs include sore, red gums that bleed easily. For minor buildup, this could take one visit, while major buildup could require up to four visits. In addition to removing buildup from the teeth, we also remove it from the roots as well. We then polish the teeth. If you have gum disease, we may recommend a routine cleaning every three to four months afterward.
Care at Home
You can also help limit how much plaque and tartar accumulate with routine care each day. You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, and use a fluoride toothpaste when you do. We also recommend flossing every evening too!
TALK TO MMC DENTAL ABOUT GENERAL DENTAL CARE
Seeing our team every six months is a great way to safeguard your entire smile! For more information on how we remove plaque and polish your smile, then contact your Houston, TX, dentist, Dr. Chan, by calling 713-926-8896.