If you regularly visit the dentist then you probably have your teeth cleaned at the same time. This is a very good routine to get into and should form part of your preventative dentistry plan. For most of us, regular professional cleanings will be a treatment that leaves the mouth feeling beautifully fresh and clean, and teeth can often look a little whiter after being gently polished. But are you aware of how regular dental cleanings can help your oral health?
What Happens During a Regular Professional Cleaning?
A professional cleaning can also be called a scale and polish, as teeth are gently scaled using special hand instruments. This is a process where hardened plaque, a substance called tartar or calculus is gently scaled or scraped from the teeth. Scaling is an important process as tartar can inflame and infect the gums, increasing the risk of developing gum disease. Once the teeth have been scaled then they are carefully polished. This helps to smooth the tooth surfaces, making it harder for plaque to adhere. As a nice side effect, polishing can help remove some surface stains so your teeth may well have an extra sparkle after treatment.
A professional cleaning is a great way to keep gums strong and healthy and it enables us to detect any areas which you might be missing when brushing and flossing. At the same time we can keep an eye on your overall gum health through taking careful measurements of your gums. This allows us to detect any changes from one appointment to the next.
Deep Cleaning Your Gums with Scaling and Root Planing
If your gums are infected and you have been diagnosed with some degree of periodontal disease (gum disease), then Tsawwassen Place Dental will recommend a more intense form of professional cleaning which effectively deep cleans the gums. The teeth are still scaled or scraped, but treatment is taken down to just below the gum line so any exposed roots are also cleaned. Afterwards the root surfaces are planed or smoothed, which again makes it harder for plaque to adhere. The newly cleaned gums are more able to heal and fight infection and should begin to fit more tightly around your teeth, making it harder for bacteria to colonize these areas.
Oragix for More Comfortable Cleanings
Some people have more sensitive gums than others and we do offer Oragix® for a more comfortable treatment. This is a needle-free method of numbing the gums using a special gel which is applied just below the gum line. It is a great way to ensure treatment is comfortable, particularly for those who are anxious about injections.
Our Customized Hygiene Plans Will Help Keep You Healthy
Tsawwassen Place Dental will work with patients to provide customized treatment plans which include professional cleanings. Most people with reasonable oral health will only need to have their teeth cleaned at each regular examination.
If you have active gum disease or are more at risk of developing gum disease then Dr. Larry Leslie may suggest more frequent cleanings. It is an easy and very cost-effective way to help keep your natural teeth and gums healthy, strong and free from disease for as long as possible, hopefully for life.
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* Source: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
