We all know how important oral hygiene can be and how easily we can achieve it at home by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. If we take regular care of our teeth, it is possible to keep them for a lifetime with a little help from qualified and experienced dentists near you like the team at My Dentist at Morgan Creek.
Dental Plaque and Tartar
Professional teeth cleanings, twice a year, can help clear dental plaque and reduce the buildup of harmful oral bacteria. If dental plaque is not removed properly, it results in the accumulation of minerals from our saliva that hardens into dental calculus or tartar which is difficult to remove with brushing and flossing. Eventually, plaque can also destroy your tooth enamel, and cause cavities, and gum disease.
Periodontal Disease
Teeth cleaning is a vital part of preventing and treating periodontal disease. The plaque bacteria produce toxins that infect and inflame your gums. If this bacteria is not regularly removed, it can cause gingivitis or gum disease, which is the early stage of periodontal disease. Swollen red gums that bleed when you brush your teeth are an indication that you may have gingivitis. Unfortunately, the body responds to chronic irritation from oral bacteria with an inflammatory reaction that can cause periodontitis, the more serious form of periodontal disease. At this stage of periodontal disease, the bacteria destroy the bone surrounding the roots, causing the teeth to become loose and fall out.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
The dental professionals at My Dentist at Morgan Creek can help reduce your risk of gum disease by thoroughly removing the calculus on your teeth and evaluating the health of your gums using a special dental probe. It is possible to measure spaces in between your gums and teeth and record them. Normally, if your gums are healthy, this space is about 3 mm. If our dentists notice that this space begins to increase, it could be a sign of gum disease. What’s more, if any changes are identified at your following dental cleaning they will be dealt with effectively to prevent the progression of gum disease. This opportunity to identify and treat gum disease at an early stage is definitely the main reason why we should all visit our dentists twice a year to have our teeth professionally cleaned. However, we also do need to dedicate the appropriate amount of time to our daily oral hygiene routine as well.
Negative Effects on Our General Health
If we reach the stage of periodontitis, we can be at risk of developing serious health issues or worsening any existing health problems since the bacteria can enter our bloodstream. Once this occurs, you can experience tiny clots in the blood vessels. This infects other parts of the body and can heighten our risk of serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes-related complications, premature ageing, and early Alzheimer’s.
What You Should Expect During a Professional Teeth Cleaning
Scaling
Professional dental cleaning includes an assessment of your teeth and gums. Following that, the plaque is removed by scaling. This procedure is performed using a tool called a scaler. In cases where there are only a few small spots of hard calculus, your hygienist may use a manual scaler to remove tartar deposits from the teeth by gently scraping them. Tartar can also be removed with an ultrasonic scaler, which is an electronic device that uses a gentle vibration and a steady stream of water to break up larger pieces of tartar and wash away the particles.
Polishing
Following the scaling procedure, your teeth are polished. This helps to smooth the surface of your teeth to prevent bacteria from sticking to them. Using a handheld tool with a spinning rubber head, your dentist or hygienist polishes all tooth surfaces using a slightly abrasive paste. This procedure also removes minor stains, your teeth can look a little brighter.
Fluoride Treatment
After the cleaning procedure, it may be recommended that you protect your teeth with a fluoride treatment. Fluoride can be applied as a rinse, gel, foam, or varnish. Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel (outer layer of teeth) by helping it resist the acid attack that can lead to tooth decay.
Advice
Once your teeth cleaning is completed, your dentist or hygienist will discuss your dental care routine. You will be informed if you have not been brushing/flossing certain areas of your mouth correctly. Furthermore, if you have difficulties with proper brushing or flossing, your dental professional will make recommendations to improve your routine.
Book Your Teeth Cleaning Appointment Today
For thorough professional teeth cleaning in South Surrey / White Rock BC, call us at 604-542-0123 or contact us online. Remember, routine teeth cleaning every six months can help you enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth and a healthy body.
