Brushing and flossing can help protect your oral health, but to completely remove the plaque and tartar buildup that threatens oral health, you need to have a cleaning as well. The procedure can remove buildup entirely, and help safeguard your smile. In today’s blog, your Virginia Beach, VA, dentist talks about our dental cleanings.
The Impact of Plaque and Tartar
Over time, as harmful oral bacteria consume the particles left behind by the sugary foods and drinks we consume, this creates plaque buildup. Lack of proper brushing and flossing can exacerbate this too. The layers coat the teeth and make stains more visible and can cause halitosis. But the layers of plaque and tartar also weaken enamel, allowing it to cause tooth decay and infection. The impact on the gums can cause inflammation and increase the risk of gum disease. But with a dental cleaning, we remove these layers on a regular basis to prevent the onset of cavities and gum disease, so you enjoy better oral health and a more attractive smile too.
Removing Harmful Layers
The dental cleaning process only takes a few minutes to complete, but can help safeguard your smile. We will employ an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently and thoroughly break up and remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. We then polish the smile to make it more difficult for buildup to occur before your next visit, and to also brighten your teeth. At home, we recommend cutting back on sugar and starch in your diet, and brushing twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss every evening before you go to bed. These actions limit how mica buildup can accumulate before your next cleaning appointment, which should happen every six months.
The Perio Version
What if you have severe buildup and experience the warning signs of periodontal disease, such as soreness, redness, bleeding, and gum recession? To manage the disease and protect your smile, we may recommend a perio cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, this involves our team carefully removing plaque and tartar from both the teeth and exposed roots, and destroying pockets of bacteria too. The procedure could take one visit or up to four, depending on the extent of the layers. We will numb your smile to keep you comfortable. Afterward, we may suggest traditional cleanings every three to four months to control buildup and manage gum disease, so you avoid uncomfortable symptoms and tooth loss.
Talk to Our Team About Our Preventive Visits
To learn more about how we remove harmful plaque and tartar to manage your oral health and prevent major complications, then give us a call at Absolute Dental Care in Virginia Beach, VA at (757) 428-7440 to schedule an appointment.
