Dental cleanings are extremely important in keeping your mouth healthy and disease free! Plaque is the white, sticky layer of bacteria that adheres to teeth throughout the day. If the plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing prior to it hardening it turns into a substance called calculus. Once it becomes calculus no amount of brushing or flossing will remove it. Only your dental hygienist’s instruments will remove it properly.
If plaque and calculus are left on the teeth too long this can lead to cavities as well as periodontal disease. While periodontal disease is usually not painful it can lead to the loosening and eventual loss of your teeth! Your dental hygienist will carefully remove all this buildup in order to help prevent any future problems.
Additionally, your dental cleaning will include a thorough exam by the doctor to check for any problems and x-rays if necessary to check for problems that we cannot see by just looking. These include cavities in between the teeth, abscesses, and cancers or growths in the bone.
For most patients we recommend preventative care every 6 months. If seen every 6 months we can usually catch problems early on so that extensive work is not needed. This also minimizes buildup on your teeth so it does not get out of hand in between visits. For some patients that are more prone to cavities or periodontal problems we may suggest every 3 or 4 months instead. This is done on a discretionary and individualized basis.
If you are overdue for your dental cleaning please call our office so we can get you back in the schedule and keep your smile healthy!
