Even if you brush and floss daily, you may still need help taking on the more severe buildup of plaque and tartar. To completely remove these layers and polish your teeth, we can offer a dental cleaning. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist explains why all smiles need a routine dental cleaning!
The Risks of Serious Plaque and Tartar
When harmful oral bacteria consume the particles of sugar and starch left behind by the foods and drinks we consume, this creates plaque buildup. The sticky layer coats the teeth and hardens with time into tartar. These layers cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, and they can weaken enamel to cause cavities and infection, or inflames the gums to cause gingivitis and even gum disease. The layers are also linked to bad breath and stained teeth. To protect your smile. We want to remove these layers completely from your smile every six months!
Dental Cleanings
A dental cleaning is helpful for all ages, and should happen twice a year starting as early as age two. While brushing and flossing can limit buildup, only a cleaning can remove these harmful layers completely from the surfaces of your teeth. With an ultrasonic scaling device, gentle vibrations will be used to break up and remove the buildup from the teeth. We then use a manual pick to get rid of the more stubborn portions of tartar. We complete the procedure by polishing the teeth for a brighter appearance, and to help make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate in between your six-month visits.
Scaling and Root Planing
What if the buildup is more severe? If you have gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease, this could require a more involved procedure known as a scaling and root planing. We use the same tool to remove buildup from the teeth, but we also remove layers from the exposed portions of the roots, which are exposed by the recession of the gums in response to the disease. We also remove layers from beneath the gums, and destroy pockets of harmful bacteria in the process.
This could take one visit or as many as four, it all depends on the severity of your buildup. We will polish your teeth to help protect and brighten your smile. We usually follow the scaling and root planing with a regular cleaning every three to four months. If you have any questions about protecting your smile by removing plaque and tartar, then reach out to our team today!
Dental Impressions Talks About Removing Harmful Layers
We can help remove the layers of harmful plaque and tartar from your teeth. To schedule an appointment and obtain cleaner and brighter smiles, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
