|
Regular dental cleanings lay the foundation for a lifetime of optimal oral health. We welcome patients of all ages to undergo comfortable and convenient dental cleanings. Once your child's first tooth emerges, he or she will need twice a year (or as recommended) cleanings to prevent cavities and gum disease. If you have not been to our office for a cleaning in a while, here's an overview of what you can expect during this preventative cleaning. Why are dental cleanings important? Cleanings can treat and prevent a wide range of dental problems before they require invasive treatments. Root canals and tooth extractions are two treatments that can often be prevented by undergoing twice-a-year professional cleanings at our office. Your gentle and convenient dental cleanings will remove plaque and tartar along your teeth and just below your gumline. Plaque is a biofilm that is comprised of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. Even careful brushing cannot prevent plaque from turning into calcified tartar. Many of us have deposits of tartar, which is often yellow or dark in color, inside the crevices of our molars or near our gums. Once formed, tartar can only be removed through the use of specialized tools by trained oral hygienists. Tartar forms a home for harmful bacteria. As microbes eat sugars in your saliva the microorganisms release small traces of acid that eventually demineralize and degrade enamel. This is how cavities form. Bacteria can also creep down into your gums and cause a protracted infection called gum disease or periodontitis. Dental cleanings directly address the root cause of decay and gum disease. A clean mouth really is a healthy mouth. What to Expect During Your Preventative Treatment Most dental cleanings are completed within 30 minutes. Cleanings are one of the most convenient treatments we offer. Most dental insurance plans cover a substantial portion of the costs associated with dental cleanings. Your dental cleaning will be performed by a trained dental hygienist. Your cleaning will be completed using a special metal tooth that can scrape off hard deposits of tartar. These patches of calcified plaque are often dark in color. Once the dark pockets are removed, portions of your teeth will appear substantially whiter! Each tooth will be carefully cleaned. Removing plaque and tartar from near and below your gum line can help reverse the early symptoms of gingivitis. If our hygienist notices symptoms of gum disease (swelling, bleeding), you will be advised on how to ensure that the infection does not worsen. Once the dental scaling treatment is complete, a special rotary device will be used to gently polish the front of your teeth. Exams are often scheduled before or after your cleaning. Combining both steps saves our patients time. If you are found to have dental problems like a cavity or periodontitis, those issues can be addressed at that time or a follow-up visit. Our dental team cannot stress enough how important dental cleanings are. Staying ahead of dental problems is surprisingly easy. We encourage all of our patients to schedule twice-a-year cleanings as a means of preserving oral health and the need for costly restorative treatments later in life. Patients who have certain risk factors for tooth decay and gum disease can benefit from a personalized dental cleaning timeline. Call us today at 303-534-2626 or visit us online to schedule your appointment with one of our dentists today. Metro Dental Care Denver CO dentist office metrodentalcare.com 303-534-2626
Related Articles -
dental cleaning, Denver dentist, gum disease, scaling,
| 
