Teeth Cleaning 

During a preventative teeth cleaning, also known as a prophylactic cleaning, your hygienist or dentist will use manual scalers and/or an ultrasonic scaler to loosen and remove both hard and soft debris buildup.  They will clean the surfaces of each tooth from every angle (especially the angles that your typical brushing and flossing miss).

Once all of your teeth are scaled and free of debris, they will polish away surface stains using a soft rubber cup or air polisher.  You’ll leave our office with smoother and brighter teeth.  Patients love to lick their teeth to feel the difference (and what a difference it can be!)

Regular Tartar Removal

Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is calcified and hardened plaque that’s accumulated on your teeth and root surface (below the edges of your gum).  Even if you have excellent oral hygiene, where you brush and floss daily, some areas of your mouth will still tend to develop buildup.

Unfortunately, tartar can’t be removed by simply brushing and flossing at home.  It requires a dental professional who uses special tools designed to remove them.  Because it’s festered with disease-causing bacteria, if you allow tartar to accumulate and build up, it will eventually lead to tooth decay, tissue detachment, gum recession, and bone loss.

Seeing a hygienist or dentist regularly every 6 months allows you to remove this buildup and protect your oral health.  However, if you have a history of gum disease or tend to have heavy buildup, then you may need a more frequent cleaning every 3 to 4 months.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.