What Kind of Cleaning Does Your Smile Need?

Every day, your schedule should include a few important moments of cleaning your teeth and gums, such as brushing them at least twice and flossing them at least once every day. That’s because harmful oral bacteria, which can become the biggest threats to your smile, accumulate on your teeth every day. In addition to cleaning them at home, however, your teeth also require professional cleaning at least once every six months to remove traces of plaque and tartar (or hardened plaque). If necessary, you might also require deep (periodontal) cleaning to remove harmful bacteria from underneath your gums, which may help you avoid serious consequences resulting from gum disease.

The point of professional dental cleanings

When you clean your teeth at home, your goal is to remove the buildup of oral bacteria on your teeth that results in plaque development. However, when you miss a spot of plaque, it only takes a day or two for it to calcify, or harden, into tartar, which is insoluble. That means you won’t be able to clean it away as easily as plaque with your toothpaste and water. The only way to remove tartar is to have it professionally cleaned away at your dentist’s office, which you should do at least twice every year. Otherwise, the oral bacteria that are protected by the biofilm can lead to harm in the form of tooth decay, gum disease, and more.

Deeper, periodontal scaling and root planing

Brushing, flossing, and professionally cleaning the visible surfaces of your teeth goes a long way in preserving the health and integrity of your smile. However, they can’t help you rid the threat of oral bacteria if they work their way underneath your gums and settle on your teeth roots. This can lead to the development of gingivitis, which is the first stage of more serious gum disease, unless the bacteria are removed from your teeth roots as soon as possible. Periodontal cleaning is often referred to as scaling and root planing because it involves carefully accessing and cleaning your teeth roots, then smoothing their surfaces. This helps prevent oral bacteria from sticking to their surfaces in the future, and reduces your risks of developing more serious gum disease.

Learn how we help keep your smile clean

Some of the biggest threats to your smile, including chronic tooth decay and gum disease, can often be prevented with the help of the right professional cleaning treatment. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Yelena Popkova D.D.S. in Merrimack, NH, today at 603-595-9400. We also serve the residents of Nashua, Hudson, Manchester, Milford, and all surrounding communities.