When you have plaque buildup on your teeth, this could lead to serious trouble down the road, including cavities and even gum disease. To protect the smile, we need to control the buildup by removing it completely. But which type of cleaning will your Astoria, NY, dentist offer, a traditional or deep one?
What Plaque Means
Over time, when we consume foods high in sugar and starch, or drinks with a lot of sugar, this leaves behind particles on and between the teeth. Harmful oral bacteria will then break down these particles, a process that elevates oral acidity levels and coats the teeth in a sticky bacterial buildup. This layer will harden into tartar, and is impossible to remove with brushing and flossing alone. Over time, this could weaken the outer enamel to make cavities more likely, and also increase the risk of gingivitis and gum disease baby inflaming the gum tissues. This is also linked to higher risks of bad breath and teeth stains too. To safeguard the smile, these layers need to be removed completely.
A Traditional Dental Cleanings
The traditional dental cleaning happens about once every six months, and involves the dentist or hygienist removing all layers of plaque and buildup with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. Once the buildup is removed, we polish the teeth for a brighter appearance. According to the American Dental Association, everyone ages two and up need to attend these visits once every six months to protect their smiles from worsening oral health. At home, you need to brush and floss daily in between these visits to limit how much plaque and tartar can form, helping to safeguard your smile.
The Scaling and Root Planing
What if the plaque and tartar hasn’t been removed in a while, and the smile has developed gingivitis, or even the early stages of gum disease? At this stage, you may notice your gums feel sore, look red, or bleed easily. We could use a deep cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar from both the teeth and the roots, reversing gingivitis or helping us to manage gum disease with traditional cleaning every three to four months moving forward. The ultrasonic scaling device and manual pick will remove the buildup from the teeth and roots, which can take one visit or up to four, depending on how severe the buildup actually is. We again polish the teeth afterward.
Your Astoria, NY, Dentist Offers Preventive Treatments
We would like to help you avoid the onset of cavities and periodontal issues. To learn more about safeguarding smiles and avoiding poor oral health, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
