If you have plaque and tartar buildup, this can stain your teeth and cause bad breath. You could also have a high risk of tooth decay and gum disease! But we can help by comfortably and thoroughly cleaning your smile with advanced technology. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about helping smiles with an ultrasonic scaling.
The Risks of Serious Plaque and Tartar Buildup
What is plaque and tartar? Well, when harmful oral bacteria break down and consume the particles of sugar and starch left behind by our foods and drinks, this creates a sticky layer that coats the teeth, known as plaque. Over time, this layer hardens into tartar. The buildup cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, and these layers could weaken and erode enamel to cause tooth decay and infection. The same layers could irritate the gums to cause gingivitis and gum disease. Not to mention, your risk of bad breath and stained teeth are higher too! But we can gently and carefully remove these layers with an ultrasonic scaling device.
Removing Layers with an Ultrasonic Scaling
When you come to us for a traditional cleaning as part of your six-month checkup, we will use the ultrasonic scaling device to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth. The device will emit gentle vibrations that loosens and removes the buildup, and we can then follow it with a manual pick to remove the stubborn portions of tartar. This can provide a fast and effective cleaning, and better protect your smile.
If you have gingivitis or gum disease, then we could use the same tool in a traditional cleaning to remove buildup from both the teeth and the roots, which allows us to better manage the disease and inflammation with cleanings every three to four months.
Controlling Buildup at Home
You still need to brush and floss daily, as this helps limit how much buildup can occur before you see us again for a checkup and cleaning. You should start and end each day by brushing for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. You also need to floss every evening before you go to bed. These actions help protect your smile before we can see you again!
If you have any questions about how we help your smile with an ultrasonic cleaning, then contact our team today to learn more and get started!
Call Dr. Robert Browne, D.D.S. to Obtain a Healthier Smile
We want to help safeguard your overall oral health and keep your smile bright and strong. To find out more about protecting your oral health, or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Robert M. Browne, D.D.S. in Prairie Village, KS at (913) 901-8585.
