When you have a dental cleaning, we do what brushing and flossing alone cannot accomplish: We remove all plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. A simple dental cleaning every six months does more than fight bad breath and teeth stains. As your Pella, IA dentist explains, this can also prevent tooth decay and even gum disease!
The Causes of Plaque and Tartar Buildup
We have hundreds of different bacteria types in our mouth, and most are beneficial, but a few are not, and when we consume foods and drinks high in sugar and starch, this leaves behind particles for these harmful ones to consume. In the process, the levels of oral acidity in your mouth rise and your teeth are coated in plaque buildup, which hardens into tartar with time. The result is weakened tooth enamel and inflamed gum tissues, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The buildup is also linked to bad breath and teeth stains too. While brushing and flossing can limit how much accumulates between cleaning visits, you still need a professional cleaning to remove the buildup completely!
The Treatment Process
The dental cleaning process involves our team using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently and thoroughly break up and remove all plaque and buildup from the teeth and along the gum line. The process takes only one visit and helps protect the smile from complications like cavities and periodontal disease. Once we remove the buildup, our team will then polish the teeth. Not only does this brighten your smile, but polishing the teeth makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate in between your professional visits. At home, be sure you brush in the morning and at night for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. You also need to floss every evening before you brush the second time.
Scaling and Root Planing
If you have warning signs of periodontal disease, such as sore, red, and bleeding or receding gums, then you need a deep cleaning, which makes it possible to manage the disease with preventive care moving forward. The process uses the same tools and technology, but we also remove buildup from the roots and beneath the gum line too. The procedure could take one to four visits, and we again polish the teeth afterward. If you have any questions about cleanings, or if you would like to schedule one, contact our office.
SCHEDULE YOUR DENTAL VISIT SOON!
Our team wants to help you enjoy optimal oral health and avoid issues that threaten smile stability, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Give us a call at Allen & Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA at (641)628-1121.