Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is your first line of defense against cavities, gum disease, and other dental health issues — but there’s more you can do to boost your oral health.
At Le Dentistry & Associates, expert dentists Phuong Le, DMD, Uyen Hoang, DMD, and our experienced dental team offer professional dental cleanings to preserve the long-term health of your teeth and gums. They recommend visiting the office every six months for a cleaning.
Have you been scheduling regular cleanings? If not, we explain here why they’re so important. Remember, it’s never too late to get back on track with preventive dental care.
What to expect during your professional teeth cleaning
There are several parts to a professional teeth cleaning appointment. Each part focuses on properly assessing your oral health and reducing your risk factors for cavities, gum disease (gingivitis), and other conditions.
A dental exam
During your exam, our dental team takes time to thoroughly evaluate your teeth and gums. We look for cavities and search for signs of gingivitis during a visual exam of your teeth and through dental X-rays.
If not properly treated, gingivitis can progress, allowing the bacteria to enter your teeth and the underlying bones. This condition is known as periodontitis, and it can lead to the loss of bone and a more severe, life-threatening infection should it enter your bloodstream. If you need it, we can schedule periodontal treatment.
During your routine dental exam, we check gum disease factors based on a rating system that measures the depth of the pocket between your teeth and gums. Visible signs of gingivitis include red, swollen gums that are tender and painful. Painful gums can also bleed, which might be a sign that bacteria has infected the gum tissue.
A thorough cleaning
Getting rid of tartar and plaque is the next part of your professional teeth cleaning visit. After you eat, bacteria hang around and develop into a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque can ultimately harden into tartar and increase your risk for cavities, tooth loss, and gum disease.
The only way to remove plaque and tartar that at-home brushing and flossing missed is with special dental tools we use during your cleaning that scrape it off your teeth without damaging your enamel. After clearing away debris on teeth and at your gumline, we polish your teeth to gently remove stains from the surface of your enamel.
Flossing and rinsing
Invisible bacteria can settle into the spaces between your teeth, and flossing is the best way to clean those surfaces of your enamel. Once we’ve scraped away any remnants of bacteria, plaque, and tartar you can’t reach with daily brushing and flossing, we floss between each tooth and also offer tips for better flossing at home.
Tooth enamel is both strong and durable, but injuries, acidic foods, and the natural aging process can damage it. This allows the yellowish-brown dentin layer underneath to show through, making your teeth look dingy and discolored. A rinse with fluoride, a mineral that restores the calcium and phosphorus in your enamel, can make your teeth stronger and healthier.
Keeping your smile healthy
During your cleaning visit, our team can also discuss any additional dental services you’re considering, such as cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, or orthodontics.
Keep your smile bright and healthy by scheduling your professional teeth cleaning appointment. You can call the Le Dentistry & Associates office or us our online message form to request an appointment online today.