How A Cleaning Reduces Your Gum Disease Risk

With a dental cleaning, we want to remove harmful layers of buildup from your teeth every six months. These visits can fight gum disease and even help your smile stay bright. In today’s blog, your Columbia, TN, dentist talks about how we clean your teeth to keep your smile strong and shining!

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The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar

Over time, the bits of sugar and starch in the foods and drinks we consume can be left behind on or between the teeth. As harmful oral bacteria break down the particles, this elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in a layer of plaque buildup. The sticky layer hardens with time into tartar and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. We recommend a cleaning to remove the layers of plaque and tartar because otherwise, these layers will increase the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, cavities, and even gingivitis and gum disease.

Dental Cleanings

We recommend the procedure for people of all ages every six months. The process is simple. Our team will use an ultrasonic scaling device, which emits gentle vibrations, to remove the layers of plaque and tartar. We then employ a manual pick for the more stubborn portions of tartar. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and can improve the health of your smile. We complete the process by polishing your teeth. This last step not only brightens your teeth, but helps limit the ability for plaque and tartar to accumulate in between your six-month dental visits.

Fighting Gum Disease

Along with a cleaning, you can also take steps to reduce buildup severity and fight the onset of gum disease. At home, be sure you brush your teeth for two minutes when you wake up and then again before going to bed. Each session should involve the use of a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste with fluoride. You also need to floss every evening before you brush that second time to remove what a toothbrush cannot reach. Try to cut back on how much sugar and starch are in your diet too, and be sure you find time to see our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning visit.

If you have any questions about how we improve your overall oral health with a dental cleaning procedure, or if you would like to schedule a visit soon, then contact our team today to learn more and get started.

Learn More About Preventive Dental Care with Creekside Family Dentistry!

Our team wants to help protect your smile by removing harmful plaque and tartar buildup. Give us a call today at Creekside Family Dentistry in Columbia, TN at (931) 388-3384 to schedule your appointment.