It is more than just a professional cleaning of your teeth and gums. It is an examination of your mouth may include X-rays, oral cancer screenings, TMJ evaluation and a custom treatment plan if needed based on the health of your mouth and your aesthetic desires to improve your smile appearance. After we evaluate the health of your mouth, we can determine how often and what type of dental maintenance you will need. There are three types of dental cleanings
- Basic Routine Cleaning AKA Prophylactic Dental Cleaning (Every 4 to 6 Months)
- Scaling and Root Planning (Deeper)
- Periodontal Maintenance
The reason we need to have routine cleanings is because harmful bacteria reside in the space between your teeth and gums. Left unchecked, they try to dig deep and attach to deeper spots where we can’t reach with tooth brush and dental floss. With time such bacterial colonies become calcified and form what is referred as tartar. With a special set of very delicate instruments or advanced specialty devices, the hygienist will gently remove tartar and plaque from around your teeth to allow the blood circulation from your gum tissue to be restored to a healthy level and decrease or prevent any inflammation. We then will gently polish the surface of your teeth to remove any coffee, smoke or wine stains to leave your teeth smooth and shiny and your breath fresh. We may then apply certain whitening and desensitizing agents to help you feel comfortable with your teeth. We may also analyze your diet habits to assist you in improving and/or maintaining your oral health while preserving your precious pearly smile.
Teeth cleanings are as important as a yearly physical because these examinations allow us to catch any diseases or issues before they become a problem or cause pain. Help us improve your quality of life by having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLAQUE AND TARTAR?
Many patients ask the difference between plaque and tartar. Plaque is the soft substances from food and other materials in the body that we try to clean when we brush. Tartar is what plaque becomes when it hardens and is much harder for us to remove which is one of the reasons it is important to get a professional cleaning every 4 to 6 months.
