Dental Cleaning
Regular dental cleaning is an essential component of good oral health. While brushing and flossing faithfully at home are important, a professional cleaning from an All Pro Dental Care dentist allows Fairfax, VA and Merrifield area patients to keep even unreachable parts of the mouth sparkling clean.
Dental Cleaning Q & A
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
During a dental cleaning, the dentist will remove plaque and tartar that may have built up on your teeth using an ultrasonic instrument. Because teeth are constantly exposed to saliva, they receive both the positive benefits of saliva (teeth strengthening) and the negative ones (calcium accumulation on the teeth.) The dentist will identify and remove the calcium deposits during a dental cleaning because calcium accumulation can lead to gum disease over time. By cleaning and polishing the teeth, they are made into an inhospitable home for bacteria. The smoother and cleaner that your teeth are, the less likely that bacteria can adhere to them.
What Is a Deep Dental Cleaning?
People who have signs of moderate to severe gum disease may need a deep dental cleaning, which allows for more in-depth cleaning than the standard cleaning procedure. During a deep cleaning, the dentist will perform teeth scaling and root planing on problem areas. These procedures allow for the removal of large amounts of built-up plaque and tartar and for the protection of the tooth roots. A deep cleaning will take longer than a standard dental cleaning because it typically needs to be done in four sections.
How Can You Maintain Your Clean New Teeth at Home?
The best way to maintain your sparkling new smile is to be very cognizant of your dental care routine. Always be sure that you brush your teeth at least twice per day, for a minimum of two minutes in each session. Floss every single day to make sure that bacteria doesn't have the chance to get trapped in the gums or in small crevices in between the teeth. Your dentist may also recommend a fluoride rinse that can help strengthen your teeth and give them extra resistance to bacteria buildup.
