Over time, even if we brush and floss properly, plaque and tartar could form on the surfaces of our smile and unless removed, could lead to serious oral health issues. Which is why our team wants to remove the buildup completely every few months! In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about our dental cleanings, and which one you may need.
The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar
Plaque buildup occurs when harmful oral bacteria make a meal out of the sugar and starch left behind the food and drinks you’ve consumed. The sticky buildup coats the teeth and is difficult to remove with brushing and flossing alone, hardening into tartar with time. The layers could cause bad breath, teeth stains, and an increased risk of cavities, gingivitis, and even gum disease. Which is why a cleaning to remove the buildup completely every six months is recommended by our team. But in some cases, this may not be enough and you may need a more involved procedure, also known as a scaling and root planing. Let’s talk about the differences in these two treatments.
Dental Cleanings
A traditional dental cleaning happens every six months and involves our team gently but thoroughly removing all plaque and tartar from your teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. The process takes a short time, but can help protect your smile from serious discomfort and painful symptoms of issues like cavities and gum disease. You also enjoy brighter teeth! Once we remove the buildup, we will thoroughly polish your smile to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to the surfaces in between your six-month visits. You can also help control plaque by brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing every evening, controlling how much can even form in between your visits.
Scaling and Root Planing
If you have the warning signs of gingivitis and gum disease, such as sore gums, bleeding tissues, and redness in the gums, then you may need a deep cleaning. We again use the ultrasonic scaling device to remove buildup from the surfaces of the teeth, but we also smooth away the buildup on the roots beneath the gum line, which helps reverse gingivitis and manage gum disease. The process could take one visit, or up to four, depending on the severity of your plaque. We again polish your smile afterward, but we also administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable, since this is a more involved procedure. Afterward, we may recommend traditional cleaning visits every three to four months to manage the disease and keep your smile whole and healthy.
Do You Need to Schedule a Visit?
We’re ready to help you enjoy better oral health and a brighter smile. Call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling (913)681-5500 if you need to set up your next dental cleaning appointment. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park, South KC, South OP, Martin City, MO, and all surrounding communities.
