Teeth Cleaning

The average person should see their dentist for a professional tooth cleaning and checkup once every six months. This allows your dentist to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar and identify any oral health issues while they can still be easily treated.

Depending on your specific oral health risk, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits. People who use alcohol or tobacco, have diabetes, are pregnant, have poor oral hygiene or deal with other medical conditions may require more frequent dental cleanings and checkups.

A scale and polish is the term commonly associated with a standard teeth cleaning. Scaling refers to the specialized cleaning instruments we use to gently break down plaque and tartar deposits while still protecting your gums. We then polish your teeth to help remove cosmetic stains and prevent particles from attaching to the teeth between cleanings.

Failure to set up regular teeth cleaning could result in gum disease or the presence of calculus under the gumline. In these instances, a procedure called Deep Cleaning, or Scaling and Root Planing, may be required. Unlike a regular teeth cleaning which focused on the teeth surfaces, a deep cleaning removes bacteria, tartar, and other particles that have collected under the gumline. A deep cleaning is not an emergency dentist visit but may require local anesthetic and antibiotics.

Pineview uses specialized equipment and procedures that ensure there is no digging, excavating or drilling involved in regular teeth cleaning. The removal of plaque and tartar can cause some initial sensitivity. This is completely normal, but be sure to contact your dentist if the sensitivity persists.

Aside from regular teeth cleanings, there are many things you can do between visits to maintain good oral health:

• While most people only brush for a minute, it is recommended you brush for at least 2-3 minutes, twice a day.
• Flossing removes food particles stuck between teeth that brushing will miss. These food particles are the primary way oral germs grow to decay teeth and could cost you further oral diseases.
• Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to prevent gingivitis.
• Scraping or brushing your tongue can help remove bacteria.
• Avoid sugary snacks and sodas that lead to greater instances of tooth decay and loss.