Regular hygiene sessions are a must for good oral health.  To keep your gums in optimum condition, it is advised to have a teeth cleaning every 6 months at least.  The best way to achieve a happy, healthy smile is by regular dental appointments and regular oral hygiene appointments including a teeth cleaning. 

Why Are Regular Teeth Cleanings So Important?

Everybody spends at least part of their day with a mouth full of sugary, sticky food.  That food provides fuel for the bacteria in your mouth that creates cavities and gum infections known as gingivitis.  If you do not have plaque removed from your teeth, it will harden into tartar and can lead to inflamed or infected gums.  This can lead to gum disease which can cause many dental issues but has also been linked to other, non-dental medical issues.  According to the American Dental Association ("ADA"), many studies show an association between gum disease and several serious health conditions, including heart disease and Alzheimer's, disease.

The ADA has communicated that the most important thing you can do to avoid gum disease and maintain good oral health (including prevention of tooth decay or cavities) is:

• Brush teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste for two minutes
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for oral examinations and professional cleanings.

Though regular brushing and flossing can get rid of plaque, once it solidifies into tartar, the material is too tough to be scraped off with floss or a toothbrush—that’s where your professional cleaning comes in.  During a professional cleaning, we first scale your teeth, scraping the tartar off the surface of the tooth with a dental tool.  Once your teeth are tartar-free, we polish them with a handheld cup and an abrasive paste that removes minor stains and smooths the surface of your teeth so that plaque won’t adhere to them as easily.

Why Would I Need A Deep Cleaning?

While most people need regular cleanings, some have so much tartar built up that it extends below the gum line resulting in the need for extra care.  This additional buildup may be caused by age, hereditary factors, or poor oral hygiene (which includes skipping regular cleanings).  Due to the extra tarter buildup below the gum line, a more aggressive bacteria causes the bone supporting the teeth to shrink away and cause tooth loosening.  This is called Periodontal Disease and if not managed can cause long term effects such as painful, bleeding gums and tooth loss.  Deep cleanings will remove tartar from above and below your gum line, and get rid of rough places where bacteria collects, allowing your body to heal the jaw bone. Once Periodontal Disease is diagnosed, careful maintenance must be performed every three months afterwards to help minimize the amount of aggressive bacteria.

We clean your teeth and keep you comfortable.  Regular cleaning is typically painless during the procedure because we use anesthesia to make sure you’re pain free during the deep cleaning. 

Call our office today or click "Request An Appointment" below to schedule an exam and cleaning!