You should get bi-annual dental cleaning provided by a dental professional to complement your daily oral hygiene regimen. The dentist will clean your teeth using advanced instruments and techniques. Although many people believe that a dental cleaning is close to what they do at home, it is somewhat different and can help prevent oral issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
The dentist is qualified to clean calculus (hardened plaque) and even stains thoroughly and with precision. You can avoid and treat gum disease by being proactive about your dental hygiene and recognizing the importance of routine cleanings.
The cause of gum disease
Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that builds up on teeth and continues to accumulate. Plaque can develop in the gaps between teeth and gums due to improper or irregular brushing, causing discomfort and inflammation of the gums. Inflamed gum tissues may recede from the teeth, creating pockets. Bacteria flourish in the pockets, causing further gum irritation.
Overlooking the problem or failing to address it would cause the disease to progress, eventually damaging the tooth-supporting tissues and bone. Gingivitis is the term used by dentists to describe periodontal disease in its initial stages. When the condition progresses, it exhibits some telltale symptoms that alert people to the imminent threat.
Routine dental cleanings can prevent gum disease
If plaque is not removed, it will harden into tartar or calculus, contributing to gum disease. Periodontal disease is avoidable by going for a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year. Brushing and flossing daily is insufficient for adequate hygiene, since there are hard to reach areas where debris tends to gather. The dentist has the special tools needed to clean every part of the oral cavity and remove stubborn tartar that regular toothbrushes cannot clean.
Daily brushing is great, but once plaque hardens and forms a hard tartar or calculus mass on the teeth, the effort is futile. Once tartar has formed around the tooth, only deep cleaning will effectively clean it. The dentist scrapes tartar off the teeth with scalers, which are unique instruments. It exposes the underlying gum tissue, which a toothbrush's bristles cannot penetrate, and patients can keep their teeth clean by learning correct brushing techniques.
Maintain proper oral hygiene
Following the deep cleaning procedure, the dentist will teach patients how to maintain good oral hygiene to avoid gum disease. The dentist helps patients choose the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss by considering their individual preferences. Since the goal is to prevent periodontal infections, teaching patients correct cleaning and flossing procedures is also part of the process. The dentist can also suggest mouthwash and other dental products for oral hygiene and tooth decay prevention.
Periodic dental cleanings include a careful inspection of the oral cavity, which aids in the early detection of other dental issues and avoiding future problems.
Final note
To learn more about dental cleaning and its importance, contact the dental office to book an appointment.
Request an appointment or call Johns Creek Dentistry at 770-623-1427 for an appointment in our Johns Creek office.
Recent Posts
Dental cleaning takes up the second half of every routine dental checkup. The professional teeth cleaning exercise has numerous oral health benefits. Is reducing the risk of oral cancer one of them?A dentist has the training and keen eye to spot areas of neglect in the far reaches of the mouth. These qualities allow them…
A dental cleaning is performed to remove plaque and tartar that can naturally build up on teeth and along the gum line. The process is non-invasive and takes less than an hour to complete. It is helpful to understand the steps involved with the dental cleaning process before the day of the appointment.While every experience…
Did you recently have a dental cleaning? Read on to learn the signs that indicate your last dental cleaning was performed well and achieved its intended purpose, which is to remove plaque and tartar and make the mouth cleaner.A quality dental cleaning should leave your mouth feeling fresh. Teeth may also appear to be brighter…