Preventive Dental Cleanings
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once is essential to preventing cavities and gum disease from threatening your smile. Still, you might not always successfully remove every trace of plaque from your teeth, and the spots left behind can quickly calcify into tartar (or calculus). Unlike plaque, tartar, and the bacteria it contains, can’t be removed with toothpaste and water. The only way to eliminate it from your teeth is with your dentists or dental hygienists gentle experienced care and professional equipment.
Dental cleanings and exams go hand-in-hand, and should be performed at least once every six months, or more often if your dentist recommends it. The preventive treatments can lead to improved oral health, the foundation of a stunning smile.
What You Can Expect
Teeth-cleaning is a minor, non-invasive procedure, and only takes up half of your routine dental visit (the other half being comprised of your dental examination). Using special equipment designed to quickly and comfortably clean your teeth, your hygienist will carefully clean every surface of your teeth to ensure that no plaque and tartar remain. Doing so helps prevent the onset of gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental issues caused by the oral bacteria hidden within the biofilms. We work with our patients, helping them develop good habits, which are essential for the prevention of infection, cavities, and other problems.
If plaque and tartar have worked their way underneath your gums, then you may exhibit signs of gingivitis – the first stage of gum disease. To reverse the condition, or to prevent it from growing worse, we may recommend that you undergo periodontal therapy, or scaling and root planing. Perio therapy involves gently cleaning the surfaces of your roots underneath your gums, often using ultrasonic scaling technology for quicker, more comfortable treatment. Because it is more complex than a routine dental cleaning, scaling and root planing may require more than a single visit to complete.
Schedule Your Next Dental Cleaning
Along with good hygiene at home, regular dental cleanings are necessary to help you prevent the onset of serious dental issues, including tooth infection and gum disease. To schedule your next cleaning appointment, call Allen Family Dental today at (469) 342-6644. Located in Allen, TX, we also serve patients who live nearby in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Fairview, and all surrounding communities.
