Teeth Cleaning Our mouths and teeth should remain clean to avoid dental problems like cavities and gum disease. That is why a dentist advises patients to keep on brushing and flossing every day. However, even the most committed brushers cannot clean every part of the mouth. There will always be some residue of plaque lingering in the mouth. Bacteria are also multiplying as we consume foods because they love feeding on the leftovers. Columbia Dental recommends that you visit us biannually for dental cleanings and mouth inspections.Benefits of Scheduling Regular CleaningsRoutine dental cleanings offer the benefit of clean, healthy teeth. The procedure takes roughly 30 minutes to an hour. Scheduled biannual cleanings remove plaque, calcium deposits, and tartar. The appointments also entail a full examination of gum tissue and teeth for gum disease and cavities, respectively. Additionally, our dentist does screening for cancer in patients. The dentist polishes the teeth to prevent the buildup of plaque in the future. Why Routine Cleanings Are ImportantBesides keeping your teeth and gums clean, regular cleanings prevent gum disease by taking away the oral plaque blamed for the start of periodontal disease. People with gingivitis or periodontitis may have pain, bad breath, and eventually tooth loss if no treatment is offered. By spotting cavities, swollen gums, and tooth discolorations, our dentist is able to recommend the appropriate treatment. What Type of Dental Cleaning Do You Need?At the very least, you will need a prophylaxis dental cleaning. It is the most basic and is usually conducted every six months. Prophylaxis is mostly performed on healthy gums and teeth. It involves cleaning the teeth surfaces of tartar and plaque. It also wipes out plaque and tartar hiding below the gum line in the gum pockets. A patient may also receive prophylaxis as part of other dental procedures, for instance, when you present for teeth whitening or root canal therapy. Prophylaxis aims at ensuring that you go home with a clean mouth once you have been to the dental office. Another type of cleaning is deep cleaning. This is also known as scaling and planing. In the deep cleaning process, our dentist shaves off plaque and tartar using a dental scaler. Our dentist cleans the crowns and other surfaces of teeth to ensure that the enamel is clear of plaque and tartar. After filing down tartar and removing plaque, our dentist also smooths out the tooth surface, ensuring that there are no rough areas and dents on tooth roots that could serve as hiding places for bacteria, plaque, and tartar. This is known as root planing. Gross debridement cleanings are more intensive and usually suited for people who find it hard to observe their daily oral care routine. This cleaning is also suggested for people who tend to skip their routine cleaning appointments. Gross debridement involves removing large amounts of tartar and plaque with an electrical tool. Once the tool loosens the tartar, a dentist does prophylaxis to complete the procedure. Visit us at Columbia Dental to undergo a dental cleaning and examination of your mouth. Schedule an appointment by dialing (860) 743-9032 to speak to us about dental cleanings. |
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