If you have serious plaque buildup on the surfaces of your teeth, this can cause bad breath and teeth stains, and leave you vulnerable to tooth decay and even gum disease. Which is why we want to help by removing plaque every few months! In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about dental cleanings.
The Impact of Plaque and Tartar
Over time, when harmful bacteria break down particles of sugar and starch from our foods and drinks, and we don’t brush and floss properly, this could lead to plaque buildup. This sticker layer hardens with time into tartar, and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. Unless removed, the buildup is linked to a higher risk of cavities due to eroded enamel, and gum disease due to gum inflammation. As we touched on above, there is also a greater risk of bad breath and teeth stains. To protect your smile and ensure good oral health, our team suggests a visit every six months to remove the buildup completely from your teeth!
Removing Buildup
The procedure involves our team using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently and thoroughly break up and remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. We then polish the teeth, which frightens them and also makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to them before your next dental cleaning visit. The procedure only takes a few minutes and is helpful for kids and adults alike. In between these visits, we urge you to brush and floss daily to limit how much plaque can accumulate before your next dental cleaning visit. You can also eat a healthier diet too!
Periodontal Cleanings
What if your buildup leads to gingivitis or gum disease, and you experience sore, red gums that bleed easily or even swell or recede? In these cases, you may need more than a traditional cleaning. Instead, our team could offer help with a periodontal cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. With this procedure, our team will remove all buildup from the teeth, but also from the roots and beneath the gum line too. The procedure is more involved and could tackle multiple visits. We numb your smile to keep you comfortable, and again will polish your teeth afterward. Moving forward, we can help control periodontal disease with traditional cleanings every three to four months.
If you have any questions, then contact our team today!
TALK TO YOUR LAKE ORION, MI, DENTIST ABOUT PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Our team is ready to help you enjoy good oral health and a smile that shines. Find out more about how we control harmful layers by contacting Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
