You conscientiously brush your teeth twice a day, and you are pretty good about flossing regularly too! So, why is it necessary to visit a Newcastle dental office regularly to have your teeth professionally cleaned?
Your daily oral hygiene routine can help to maintain a healthy mouth in between dental visits, but it is only part of a good preventative dental plan. Even if you clean your teeth meticulously, spending at least two minutes each time, you are almost certainly missing out some areas, leaving plaque bacteria remaining on tooth surfaces. Initially, dental plaque is a soft, sticky layer, but unless it is removed thoroughly from your teeth surfaces, it quickly hardens into calculus or tartar. Calculus is very different because it is extremely hard, meaning it cannot be brushed away during your everyday oral care routine. Instead, it can only be removed during your regular hygiene appointment here at West Bowmanville Family Dental.
Why Is Calculus a Problem for Teeth?
Calculus, although hard isn’t inert. It consists of the same bacteria found in plaque and which continually produce toxins, infecting and inflaming your gums. The longer calculus stays on your teeth, the greater the harm to your dental health as there is a real risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation in your gum tissue, gradually destroying your gums and eventually reaching the other structures around your teeth roots including bone and ligaments. Without proper treatment, gum disease can cause tooth loss.
Removing calculus helps to remove the bacteria creating these toxins so your gums become healthier and stronger and can more easily fight infection and inflammation. Also, calculus tends to be yellow-coloured and can build up as a crusty layer around the junction where your teeth meet your gums which isn’t terribly appealing! By removing calculus, your dental hygienist in Clarington can help to ensure your smile looks brighter, and your breath will be fresher too!
What Happens When Your Teeth Are Professionally Cleaned?
A dental hygiene appointment usually is quite gentle and non-invasive, as the hygienist will assess your teeth and gums before carefully removing all calculus buildup. To do this, they use special tools designed to remove the calculus thoroughly. Once your teeth are free from plaque and calculus, they are polished gently, smoothing the tooth surfaces and making it harder for plaque bacteria to adhere. It’s also a lovely treatment for ensuring your smile looks that bit brighter.
Assessing Your Gum Health
You might notice that your hygienist evaluates your gum health, using a special instrument called a periodontal probe to measure any spaces in between your teeth and gums. These measurements provide an excellent indication as to your gum health and are carefully monitored from one visit to the next. If there are any areas of concern, your Courtice dentist can advise you if treatment is needed, or if the problem can be remedied with an improved oral care routine.
Gain Valuable Advice about Your Oral Care Routine
As your hygienist cleans your teeth, they will make a note of any areas that could do with some improvement and if needed can advise you about which areas require a little extra attention whenever you brush or floss. We realize lots of people avoid flossing regularly, but it’s really the very best way to maintain healthy gums, removing plaque from areas where your toothbrush can’t reach.
If you’re one of those people who only tend to floss just before a dental appointment or when you can feel something stuck in between your teeth, ask your hygienist to show you how to floss at your next appointment, or to discuss alternative ways of cleaning in between your teeth. Your gums will love you for it!
