Posted by West Lake Dentistry Mar 27, 2023
Teeth cleaning is also known as prophylaxis or oral prophylaxis. It’s a professional teeth-cleaning procedure performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. The procedure involves the removal of dental plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth in order to prevent cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues.
If you practice proper oral hygiene at home by brushing and flossing regularly and visit your dentist every six months for a regular teeth cleaning and checkup, you can avoid the buildup of plaque and calculus. This buildup can lead to tooth decay as well as gum disease. Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. If your gums become inflamed due to plaque and tartar buildup, you may experience bleeding gums when you brush and floss. You may also experience swollen and tender gums that tend to bleed easily. This condition is called gingivitis.
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can be easily treated and managed. However, if untreated, it can turn into periodontitis. In severe cases, periodontitis can cause gum recession and damage the bone structure that supports the teeth. In some cases, periodontitis is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and diabetes. Your dentist can provide you with more details during your preventive visit.
In addition to improving the appearance and health of your teeth and gums, regular teeth cleanings and checkups with your dentist in Denver provide lasting benefits for your overall well-being. Professional cleanings performed by an experienced dental hygienist can help remove plaque and tartar buildup that brushing alone can’t always reach. By maintaining a regular schedule of professional teeth cleanings with your Denver dentist, you can reduce your risk of tooth decay and avoid other serious oral health issues that could require more extensive treatment in the future.
In addition to the prevention of cavities and gum disease, getting your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis is also an excellent way to keep your mouth healthy and strong. While daily brushing and flossing are essential components of home dental care, they can’t always reach the deeply embedded food particles and bacteria that lie beneath the gum line. During professional teeth cleaning, your dentist is able to remove any stubborn buildup from the most hard-to-reach places in your mouth. This helps to prevent the development of more serious conditions like gingivitis or periodontitis in the long run.
Your Denver dentist can also help you avoid serious issues by recommending additional treatments during your office visits. For example, some patients may need further treatment for periodontal disease, a condition that can lead to the destruction of the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Your dentist may recommend that you undergo a series of scaling and root planing procedures to treat the problem. These deep cleanings can eliminate the harmful bacteria that can accumulate along the gum line and surrounding the roots of the teeth. Through regular professional teeth cleanings and biannual visits to your dentist’s office, you could be less likely to experience serious oral health issues and receive the preventative care you need to maintain a healthy smile.
To find out more about dental cleanings, call 704-483-1870 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 298 N. Hwy 16 Suite E, Denver, NC 28037.
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