What does proper dental hygiene involve?
Certainly, the primary requirement for proper dental hygiene is brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. You should brush all of your teeth, from ear to ear, on both jaws. Remember, you only need to brush the teeth you want to keep, which ideally should be all of them. In addition to brushing, you should also floss or use a water pick to clean in between your teeth. Brushing alone doesn't remove all the debris.
What can happen if you neglect good dental hygiene?
If you don't maintain good dental hygiene, the bacteria and plaque build up and linger around the gums. This primarily causes gum irritation and gingivitis. If you neglect it for too long, it could progress to a more serious condition called periodontal disease, which is another term for severe gum disease. In this condition, the bone that holds your teeth starts to recede due to the accumulation of plaque and bacteria. The ultimate result of this could be tooth loss, which we want to avoid at all costs.
What's involved in a dental cleaning?
During a dental cleaning, you will see our dental hygienist who will clean every tooth from all sides, removing all the plaque, tartar, and bacteria that's been accumulating around the gums. She will use a variety of instruments to clean the fronts, backs, tops, bottoms, and all surfaces of every tooth.
What are the tools that dental hygienists primarily use?
The dental hygienist primarily uses two tools. The first is an ultrasonic water flosser that is used to remove debris and tartar from around every tooth. The second tool is a set of hand instruments that are used to remove anything that the ultrasonic cleaner might have missed. The goal of a dental cleaning is to ensure you have clean teeth and gums.
What are deep cleanings, or scaling and root planing?
A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is a more involved dental cleaning. It's necessary when there's a significant amount of plaque, tartar, and bacteria, indicating the presence of gum disease. The procedure is quite extensive and is often split into at least two visits. The hygienist will go beneath the gums to clean out all the accumulated debris. Topical jelly is usually sufficient for pain management, but if necessary, we can numb the area to ensure your comfort during the procedure. It's very important to get a deep cleaning if you have gum disease.
How can I schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning?
To schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning, simply call our office at (440) 659-1455. We'll be very happy to set up an appointment for you.