What is Involved in Having My Teeth Professionally Cleaned?

Everyone knows that brushing and flossing

at least twice daily is vital for good dental

health. Unfortunately, even the most

diligent brushing and flossing is incapable

of keeping your teeth clean and healthy over

time.

This is why family dentists and cosmetic

dentists alike recommend a professional

teeth cleaning at least once every six

months in addition to regular self-care

through brushing and flossing.

Even when you brush your teeth every

morning and every night, a regular

toothbrush is not able to remove all the

plaque that forms on your teeth during

the day and at night while you sleep.

The plaque you are unable to remove

builds up, and over time it mineralizes,

meaning it hardens. When plaque

mineralizes and hardens, it turns into a

substance called tartar.

In addition to being very unsightly,

tartar is downright impossible to

remove with regular brushing and like

plaque, it builds up over time without

professional cleanings.

A tartar build-up is bad news in many

ways. Tartar will give your teeth a yellow,

crusty appearance rather than the

brilliant white that is a staple of a "million

dollar smile."

Tartar doesn't smell too great, either,

and it's a leading culprit when it comes

to halitosis (bad breath).

Finally, when tarter builds up on your

teeth, it contributes to the calcium on

your tooth enamel breaking down. This

speeds up the development of cavities.

To prevent all this from happening, you

need to eliminate tartar with regular

professional teeth cleanings.

Typically, a professional cleaning begins

with tooth scaling, which your dental

hygienist will complete using a handheld

tooth scaler.

This is the somewhat scary-looking

metal contraption you've probably

seen at the dentist's office with the

hook-shaped metal point on one end.

Truth be told, this device is nothing to be

scared of and its use is not only painless

but vital for loosening up calcified tartar so

that it can be removed from your teeth.

The next step is tooth polishing, which is

done with a specialized electric brush

featuring a small round brushing surface

which spins rapidly as the hygienist uses it

to clean your teeth.

This not only removes all the remaining

tartar, but it also polishes the surface of

your teeth which makes it more difficult

for plaque to build up between now and

your next cleaning.

If your tartar buildup is severe, your

dental hygienist may also elect to perform

a procedure known

as debridement.

This is a more aggressive approach where

an ultrasonic device, periodontal scaler, or

saline solution is used to break up the

tartar which was not able to be loosened

with normal tooth scaling.

After this is completed, the tartar

is removed.

There is no reason not to schedule a

professional teeth cleaning at least every

six months.

For one thing, it is a very

affordable procedure.

In addition, modern instruments and

cleaning techniques minimize the

discomfort that used to be synonymous

with a dental visit decades ago.

Nowadays, most people report that

teeth cleanings are comfortable and

even pleasant.

The best part of a professional cleaning,

however, is walking out of the dentist's

office and being able to flash a tartar-

free, bright white smile!

The best part of a professional cleaning,

however, is walking out of the dentist's

office and being able to flash a tartar-

free, bright white smile!

If you are seeking professional dental advice,

it's time to call Shumway Dental Care.

Their Chandler dentists will ask you

questions, examine you, and determine exactly

what needs to be done to get you back to

normal.

Call today for an appointment.

Visit

www.shumwaydental.com

Shumway Dental Care

3150 S Gilbert Rd Suite 1

Chandler, AZ 85286

480-659-7800