An estimated 75% of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease. Studies have shown that people with moderate or advanced gum (periodontal) disease are more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums. Because the mouth is a pathway to the body, people who have chronic gum disease are at a higher risk for heart attack, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Gum disease (called gingivitis in its early stages and periodontal disease in the late stages) is caused by plaque buildup
Early detection of periodontal disease reduces the risk of permanent damage to teeth and gums and can prevent more extensive and costly treatment in later years. Regular professional visits, every six months or as scheduled by our dental hygienist, will help you learn more about proper care for your teeth and gums. Regular professional visits are important because gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease, is usually painless; you may not be able to detect it on your own.
Dental Cleanings
Dental cleaning is the removal of dental plaque (a soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and tartar (‘calculus’) from the teeth. Dental cleanings are necessary to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. If left untreated, severe gum disease can result in tooth loss. Cleaning and polishing of the teeth leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them.
The dental hygienist or dentist will use specialized instruments to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, the dental hygienist will use an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations to knock larger pieces of tartar loose. The ultrasonic device sprays a cooling mist of water while it works to wash away debris and keep the area at a comfortable temperature. Next, hand tools called scalers and curettes are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. These tools are curved and shaped to match the curves of the teeth.
Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. Prophylaxis paste which is a special gritty toothpaste-like material – is applied to the teeth to make them shiny and smooth. Your dental hygienist or dentist may also apply fluoride to the teeth to help strengthen the tooth enamel.
How long does dental sealant last? And what are the benefits of it?
Sealants are used to protect your child’s teeth from dental decay and can last for many years, but they need to be checked at regular intervals for chipping or broken sealants.
Some of the benefits of dental sealants:
- Fights against dental decay
- Saves money and protects against cavities
- Consumes less time for the treatment
- Improves dental health
- It is mainly applied to molar teeth where decay rates are higher
- Makes teeth stronger
Why are dental cleanings important?
Dental cleaning is essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Regular brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue and maintaining a good diet reduces the chances of cavities around 95% and helps to restore healthy gums and teeth. With the help of a professional dental cleaning, you can achieve maximum oral health benefits.
Along with oral hygiene, it is very important to have frequent dental visit, (twice a year minimum) to maintain your oral health.
How to maintain good oral hygiene?
Just stick to the basics of brushing your teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss between your teeth, clean your tongue properly and meet your dentist for preventive dental checkups at least twice a year to boost your oral health.
What are the different types of pain experienced during toothache?
Under any of these circumstances, talk to your dentist and explain the problem of your dental issue.
- Sharp pain.
- Dull pain
- Sharp pain on biting.
- Sharp pain when biting near the gums.
What are the benefits of a professional dental cleaning?
Due to improper brushing, flossing, and cleaning of the tongue can leave your teeth stained, discolored, and once plaque formation starts, it will cause other gum, dental related diseases. So a professional dental cleaning is very important because it helps us to improve your oral health and reduce the chance of cavities in the future.
Here are some of the benefits of professional dental cleaning:
- Able to remove plaque and tartar easily
- Reduces the chance of tooth decay
- Improves oral health
- Prevents gum related diseases
- Improves fresh breath
- Reduces the risk of tooth loss
- Saves money in the future
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (203) 281-3700.