Over time, plaque and tartar could lead to serious trouble for the health and beauty of your smile, leaving you vulnerable to everything from teeth stains to gum disease. But with a dental cleaning, we can help protect your smile. In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about the benefits of dental cleanings!
The Onset of Plaque and Tartar
When we eat foods and drinks high in sugar and starch, this leaves behind particles on and between our teeth. Without actions to remove these, harmful oral bacteria will consume them. The result is a layer of plaque coating the teeth, which hardens into tartar with time. These layers are connected to bad breath and teeth stains, as well as a higher risk of tooth decay and even the onset of gum disease. While brushing and flossing help control how much plaque can accumulate, only a professional dental cleaning can remove these harmful layers from your teeth. Which is why we urge you and your family to receive one at least once every six months.
Dental Cleanings
A dental cleaning is a procedure in which we use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently and completely break up and remove plaque/tartar from the outside of your teeth. We then polish the teeth thoroughly for a smoother feel and a brighter appearance. This is beneficial for kids as young as age two, and helps all ages fight tooth decay and other concerns that threaten your oral health. To help control the amount of buildup on your teeth before your next visit, be sure you brush with a fluoride toothpaste in the morning and at night, and floss before you brush each evening. Try to add items high in vitamin C and D, and cut back on sugar-rich and starchy foods too.
Scaling and Root Planing
What if you have sore, red gums that bleed easily? In this situation, you could be suffering from gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease. You need more than a routine cleansing, and we may instead recommend a scaling and root planing. Using the same tools as before, we will remove buildup, but for the roots as well as the teeth. This could take one visit or up to four, and helps make your early stages of gum disease manage with simple preventive actions moving forward.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT PREVENTIVE CLEANINGS
We would like to help kids and adults alike enjoy clean and healthy smiles. If you would like to find out more about our preventive visits, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
