Over time, a number of factors in our daily lives could lead to the onset of plaque and tartar buildup. Without action to remove these layers, your smile could be at risk of periodontal disease. Which is why your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about the need for dental cleanings to remove this harmful buildup!
The Onset of Plaque and Tartar
When we eat foods and consume drinks high in sugar, or eat items with a lot of starch, this leaves behind particles trapped on and between our teeth. Without action to remove these particles, this could allow bacteria to consume them, which elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in a bacterial byproduct known as plaque. While brushing and flossing can reduce the severity of plaque, these actions cannot remove the layers completely. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar and weakens outer enamel to cause cavities. The gum tissues can also become inflamed, which leads to gingivitis and gum disease. Bad breath and teeth stains are common too! Which is why you need a professional dental cleaning to remove these layers from your smile.
The Dental Cleaning
A dental cleaning involves our team using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to gently but thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from your smile. The process takes one visit, and we complete it by polishing your teeth, leaving you with a brighter smile and a smoother tooth surface. The process helps lower the risk of serious oral health concerns, and can benefit kids and adults alike. We offer this as part of our routine dental checkup visits every six months, so please don’t skip out on these visits, they’re essential for your oral health.
What About a Scaling and Root Planing?
If you have severe buildup and also the warning signs of inflammation or gum disease, such as sore, red, receding, or bleeding gums, then you may need a deep cleaning. Also known as scaling and root planing, this involves our team removing harmful layers from both the teeth and the roots, which can take between one and four visits, depending on the severity of your buildup. To keep you comfortable, we will administer a local numbing agent. We again polish your teeth afterward. If you have any questions about how we safeguard your smile, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR SMILE
With a regular six-month visit to remove harmful buildup, you can safeguard your smile. If you would like to find out more about removing buildup or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
