A dental cleaning should happen every six months to help protect your smile from issues like tooth decay and gum disease. If you have gum disease, then we can even help with a special deep cleaning known as a scaling and root planing! In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about the importance of our routine cleanings and how we can also preserve smiles with a scaling and root planing.
The Impact of Plaque and Tartar Buildup
How does plaque and tartar buildup occur, and what does this mean for your smile? When we consume foods and drinks with sugar and starch, this can leave behind particles trapped on or between the teeth. This is especially true if you also don’t brush and floss well. As harmful bacteria break down these particles this elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque buildup. Over time, the buildup hardens into tartar. These layers can weaken and erode the outer tooth enamel and make the onset of tooth decay and infection more likely. The same buildup can also irritate and inflame the gums to cause gingivitis and even gum disease. Not to mention, you also have a higher risk of bad breath and teeth stains! But we can help with a cleaning.
Cleaning Your Smile
Every six months, our team wants to see you for a professional dental cleaning. With this procedure, we will gently and thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from your teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device, which emits gentle vibrations to knock loose these layers. We also have a manual pick for the more stubborn portions of tartar. The process only takes a few minutes, and we then polish your teeth for a brighter appearance and to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to form on the surfaces of the teeth before your next visit. You can also help control buildup from home by brushing your teeth for two minutes when you wake up and then again before bed, and by flossing every evening before you brush that second time. Try to cut back on the amount of sugar and starch in your diet too!
Scaling and Root Planing
If you have indicators of gum disease, then we may need to remove the harmful layers from both the teeth and the exposed roots, which we can do with a scaling and root planing. This could take one visit or multiple appointments, and we can then manage the disease moving forward with routine cleanings every three to four months!
Dental Impressions Talks About Removing Harmful Buildup
Our team wants to offer care to manage your oral health and help you avoid issues like gingivitis and gum disease. To schedule your appointment for a dental checkup visit, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
