Teeth Cleaning

A healthy mouth requires proper dental hygiene. A good daily cleaning regimen is imperative, but a professional cleaning every six months is just as important.

Professional cleanings remove plaque buildup that daily cleaning can’t. The plaque should be removed from teeth to prevent gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental caries (cavities). The cleaning is done by a board-certified dental hygienist, extensively trained to clean teeth properly with special dental tools.

Brushing and flossing every day, along with antibacterial mouthwash, are the first step to reducing the plaque and bacteria in the mouth, but even the most diligent regimen cannot remove all of it. The dental hygienist begins by scaling off the stubborn plaque and tartar between the teeth and along the gumline.

Following the plaque removal, the hygienist will scrub the tooth enamel with a special gritty toothpaste that comes in many different flavors (chocolate or bubblegum, possibly). This special toothpaste performs a deep scrubbing that is only suggested twice a year. Using it more often could damage the enamel.

The last steps are a professional flossing and a good rinse to remove any debris remaining in the mouth.

The scaling process is the least liked part of the cleaning. There will always be some scaling that needs to be done, but you can shorten the process by dedication to your daily brushing and flossing routine.