A major part of your dental checkup visit is a cleaning, in which we take the time to remove all plaque and tartar buildup. With these actions, we can provide better oral health for kids and adults. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about our dental cleanings!
The Reason for a Cleaning: Plaque Buildup
Over time, harmful oral bacteria can break down and consume the particles left behind by the foods and drinks we enjoy. This is especially true of sugar and starch, which are common dishes in many of our favorite holiday dishes and desserts. As this happens, teeth are coat in a sticky layer known as plaque, which hardens with time into tartar and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. Without removal, these layers can erode the outer enamel so cavities form, and could inflame the gums to make the onset of gum disease more likely. These same layers are factors in bad breath and teeth stain too. But we can help remove plaque and tartar with a routine dental cleaning!
Removing Harmful Buildup
The dental cleaning can help protect little smiles and your own teeth and gums as well! The process is simple. We will use an ultrasonic scaling device, which emits gentle vibrations to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Our team could then employ a small pick to remove the more stubborn portions of tartar. We then polish the teeth thoroughly to brighten them and also limit how much plaque and tartar can accumulate before your next appointment. We recommend this every six months for patients as young as age two, and everyone else!
The Scaling and Root Planing Option
If you have symptoms and risk factors for gum disease, we could also suggest a deep cleaning, known as a scaling and root planing. With this option, we use the same tools to remove buildup from the teeth, exposed roots, and from beneath the gum line. We will numb your smile to ensure your comforts beforehand, and will also destroy pockets of harmful bacteria that sit beneath the gum line. The process could take one visit or as many as four, it all depends on the severity of your buildup.
If you have any questions about protecting your smiles with a routine visit, or if you would like to schedule an appointment now and use your 2025 dental benefits or health savings account funds before they expire, then contact our team today.
Dental Impressions Talks About Caring for Your Teeth
Preventive dentistry can help keep smiles young and old healthy and bright now and throughout the rest of the year. To schedule an appointment for general dentistry, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
