Our team wants to help you enjoy good oral health, which is why we believe in a preventive approach to keep serious concerns at bay. One way to limit the risk of issues like cavities and periodontal disease is with a routine dental cleaning. In today’s blog, your Virginia Beach, VA, dentist talks about the value of a simple cleaning visit!
The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar
Over time, the particles of sugar and starch left between our teeth by the foods and drinks we consume will be broken down by harmful oral bacteria, a process that causes a rise in oral acidity and coats the teeth in a sticky layer of bacterial byproduct. This is known as plaque, and it makes stains more apparent and also leads to bad breath. Over time, these layers will harden into tartar and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, but if left in place could increase the risk of issues like tooth decay, dental infection, gingivitis, and even gum disease. But we can help with professional dental cleanings.
Dental Cleanings
The traditional dental cleaning happens every six months and is necessary for patients of all ages. Our team will employ an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tooth to gently but thoroughly break up and remove all plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth. The process only takes a few minutes, and is crucial for avoiding not only bad breath and stained teeth, but also cavities and periodontal concerns! We then polish the tooth thoroughly to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to the teeth. This also brightens your smile too. At home, you and your family should brush and floss daily to remove stray food and drink particles and reduce the severity of buildup until we see you again for your next cleaning. Try to cut back on sugar and starch on your diet too!
Perio Cleanings
What if you have severe buildup, and the warning signs of periodontal issues, such as sore, red, and bleeding or receding gums? If so, then you may need a perio cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. With this procedure, we use the same tools but remove buildup from both the teeth and the roots, and even beneath the gum line. This can take one visit to up to four, it all depends on the severity of your buildup. We then follow this up with traditional cleanings every three to four months.
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dentistry?
You can call Absolute Dental Care in Virginia Beach, VA at (757) 428-7440 to schedule an appointment now, so we can take steps to improve the health and beauty of your smile.
