CLEAN SWEEP

Most of us don’t go to the doctor’s office unless we are sick or injured. That may be alright for your overall health but not for your dental health. While at home maintenance is vital, even the most thorough brushing and flossing won’t negate the need for twice yearly dental cleanings to keep your mouth healthy. So what all is involved with a dental cleaning and why are they so necessary?

A dental cleaning is more in-depth than your daily brushing. A toothbrush can remove plaque and bacteria but it can’t

brush away calculus build-up. Your dental hygienist uses a small metal tool called a scaler to breakup and remove calculus from the teeth, in-between and under the gumline. Failure to remove calculus provides plaque and bacteria a breeding ground for cavities and gum disease.

After the calculus has been removed, the next step is to polish. Using a spinning tool with a soft rubber end, your hygienist applies a gritty paste designed to polish the teeth and remove surface debris. After rinsing, your hygienist flosses your teeth to make sure that all calculus has been removed from between teeth.

An optional third step is a fluoride treatment. A flavored foam or gel fluoride is placed inside molded foam trays that fit over the teeth. These trays are left on the teeth for about 30 seconds. Fluoride helps strengthen teeth and make them more resistant to decay.

This twice a year deep cleaning and inspection helps protect your teeth and gums from decay as well as spotting early signs of serious issues such as oral cancer and gum disease before they become problems. If you haven’t been keeping your twice yearly cleaning schedule, give us a call today.