Tag: dental cleaning watertown

Dental cleaning is a simple, painless, and non-invasive preventive dental procedure that seeks to reduce the risk of dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath by removing built-up plaque and tartar. Patients often experience some mild vibrations, cooling mist of liquid, and a bit of pressure during scraping, though this doesn’t cause any discomfort. On the contrary, the feeling can be quite satisfying in knowing that you can keep enjoying your healthy teeth and smile for longer. 

Ideally, dental cleanings should be performed every six months, but your dental hygienist may recommend shorter intervals if you’re at greater risk due to pregnancy, your lifestyle habits, or your general health. Moreover, if you have gum disease, your dental hygienist may recommend deep scaling – as opposed to regular dental cleaning – to remove plaque from your tooth roots as well. 

Generally, the first step before any dental cleaning is an examination of your mouth. The dental hygienist needs to physically check your teeth, gums, tongue, and the entire mouth for any concerns using a small mirror. If there are no problems, then the procedure for dental cleaning may be as follows: 

1. Plaque and Tartar Removal: A scaler is used to remove plaque and calculus from the surface of individual teeth, between the teeth, and around the gum line. This step may take longer if it has been a long time since your last cleaning. 

2. Polishing: A high-powered brush with a soft rubber cup and gritty toothpaste helps to gently scrub and polish your teeth. This not only removes any surface stains, but also makes your tooth surface smooth and shiny to make it harder for plaque to form. 

3. Expert Flossing: This step helps to thoroughly clean the area between your teeth to remove any leftover plaque and toothpaste from the previous steps. 

4. Rinsing: The dental hygienist uses a mouth rinse with liquid fluoride to remove any debris and clean your mouth. 

5. Fluoride Treatment: As the final step, your dental hygienist may apply flavored fluoride by putting it in flexible trays that are then placed over your teeth for 30 seconds. This helps to strengthen your teeth and enhance the protection against plaque and calculus. 

To learn more about what to expect from a Cleaning and Exam in Watertown MN procedure, please contact your dental office today.

Many people today know about the importance of oral health and how it affects your overall health. Optimal oral hygiene requires a combination of proper and consistent daily oral hygiene practices at home and routine professional dental cleanings. This helps to protect your teeth from decay and keep the gums healthy, while keeping your smile bright. 

However, one thing that may not be clear is why the American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings every six months. Generally, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing every day should help to remove most of the harmful bacteria from your teeth and mouth. But the small quantity of bacteria that remains may still pose a threat to your oral health over time, if it’s not removed. 

Some of the risks include:

• Excessive tooth wear and cavities from the acid produced by plaque 
• Bad breath from improper teeth cleaning 
• Teeth discoloration from the colored foods you consume and calcification and mineralization of plaque in the form of tartar or calculus, which attracts more harmful bacteria
• Minor gum infection or gingivitis, which is characterized by gum inflammation, swelling, and reddening. Due to sensitive gums, you may also notice some blood on your toothbrush or when rinsing your mouth after brushing. 
• Advanced gum infection – If there are no interventions, gingivitis can advance to a more serious case of gum disease known as periodontitis or periodontal disease. It affects the foundation of your teeth – the bone tissue connecting your teeth to the jaw. 
• Exacerbated health issues – the infection can spread from your mouth to other tissues, making it harder to manage other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia 

Cleanings for Optimal Oral Health 

Fortunately, most of these problems can be successfully treated or managed with professional dental cleaning and an improved oral care regimen at home. That said, periodontitis is a chronic, progressive, and episodic gum infection. If not treated promptly, periodontitis can cause severe bone loss that loosens your teeth with some even falling out. Though it’s irreversible, dental professionals can help you manage the symptoms and improve your oral health. 

Please visit your dentist today to examine the condition of your teeth and gums and determine the best type of dental cleaning in Watertown MN to improve your oral health and reduce the risk of advanced gum disease and cavities.