Did you know that smiles need spring cleaning? Every six months, removing plaque and tartar with a professional cleaning can help lower the risk of serious issues like cavities or gum disease, or even prevent bad breath and teeth stains. In today’s blog, Dr. James R. Stewart JR. D.D.S. P.C. talks about helping smiles with a dental cleaning!
The Importance of Tackling Plaque and Tartar
When we eat foods and drinks with sugar and starch, these particles can become trapped between the teeth and along the gum line. Harmful oral bacteria then make a meal of them, a process that creates plaque buildup, a sticky layer that coats the teeth. With time, the plaque hardens into tartar. This buildup forms even if you brush and floss, which is why a routine visit every few months is so critical.
Otherwise, the layers could weaken outer enamel to make cavities and even infection likely. The same layers are connected to a higher risk of gingivitis and gum disease too, not to mention bad breath and teeth stains. But by seeing us every six months, we can help you smile with a preventive dental cleaning.
The Dental Cleaning Process
How do we clean your smile? The process only takes a few minutes, and involves our team using an ultrasonic scaling device to gently remove the layers with vibrations. We then employ a manual pick for any stubborn portions of tartar. Afterward, we will polish the teeth to not only brighten them, but to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to form on the surfaces of the teeth. The procedure is helpful for all ages, and we hope to see you twice a year, so we can better protect your smile from cavities and more.
Managing Gum Disease
What about a scaling and root planing? Also known as a deep cleaning, this involves removing buildup from not only the teeth, but the exposed roots and from under the gums too, which can help reverse gingivitis and manage gum disease to prevent the stages linked to soreness, bleeding, and tooth loss. If you have any questions about safeguarding your smile, or if you want to schedule your next visit for you and your family, then reach out to our office today! Preventive dentistry can help you enjoy your best smile and avoid the need for fillings and periodontal treatments.
Schedule a Preventive Visit With Dr. Stewart, DDS
Preventive dentistry allows our team to manage your family’s oral health and prevent issues like tooth decay and gum disease. To learn more about how we manage your oral health with preventive dentistry, call Dr. Stewart, D.D.S., P.C. in Livonia, MI at 734-425-4400.