When we clean your smile as part of our general dental exams, this can help improve oral health and offer a more attractive smile. You could also obtain a brighter smile! In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about how our dental cleanings improve oral health and brighten smiles.
The Impact of Plaque and Tartar Buildup
When we consume foods and drinks with a high amount of sugar, this could provide a meal for harmful oral bacteria. As bacteria consumes these particles, this could increase the level of oral acidity and also coat the teeth in a layer of sticky plaque buildup. Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove plaque, and over time this hardens into tartar. Without treatment to remove these layers, the risk of cavities, infections, gingivitis, and even gum disease will increase. The buildup is also linked to issues like bad breath and teeth stains. To help protect your smile, we can remove plaque and tartar with a routine dental cleaning.
The Dental Cleaning
The dental cleaning procedure should happen at least once every six months. During your checkup visit, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to gently and thoroughly remove all layers of plaque and tartar from the teeth. The process only takes a few minutes, and we complete the procedure by polishing your teeth. The polishing process helps brighten the smile, but also makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate before we see you again. You can then help control harmful buildup in between these visits with proper brushing and flossing habits at home, and a diet low in sugar and starch.
The Scaling and Root Planing
What if we find indicators of gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease? To help protect your smile, we could offer a deep cleaning known as a scaling and root planing. The procedure uses the same tools, but we remove the layers from the teeth and the roots too. We could even destroy harmful pockets of bacteria that sit beneath the gum line. The procedure could take one visit or several, and we will again polish the smile afterward. We then conduct a routine cleaning every three to four months to control the disease and keep your smile healthy and whole.
If you have any questions about how we clean your smile, or if you would like to schedule a visit soon, then contact our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Talks About Keep Smiles Clean
We want to help you enjoy better oral health and avoid the onset of issues like periodontal disease! To find out more about how we remove harmful buildup, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
