Have you ever wondered why our dentist in Clarington always suggests regular professional dental cleanings? In fact, having your teeth cleaned professionally is an easy, cost-effective way to help you maintain good dental health. It is an essential preventative dental care treatment for healthy gums.

The Reason for Having Professional Dental Cleanings


The purpose of a professional dental cleaning is to remove the buildup of calculus (tartar) from your teeth. Calculus is hardened plaque and each day a biofilm or layer of sticky plaque bacteria develops over your tooth surfaces. Plaque bacteria are harmful to your teeth and gums because they produce acids and toxins that cause tooth decay, and inflammation and infection. Most, but not all plaque is removed during brushing and flossing.

Even if you brush your teeth meticulously and floss each day, you will most likely miss out some areas, often closest to your gums or in hard-to-reach areas. Any plaque that is missed will harden into calculus in just a couple of days. Calculus is so hard that it cannot be removed by brushing your teeth. Instead, it must be removed by a dentist in Newcastle or a hygienist. All the time calculus remains on your teeth, the bacteria within it will continue to produce toxins, significantly increasing your risk of dental disease. Regular dental cleanings reduce your risk of dental disease, and especially gum disease.

What Happens During a Professional Dental Cleaning?


When you have your teeth cleaned professionally here at West Bowmanville Family Dental, then our skilled hygienist will carefully assess the condition of your teeth and gums before scaling or scraping away any buildup of calculus, using specialized tools. Once all the calculus is removed, your teeth are polished. Afterwards, your teeth will feel smooth, should look a bit cleaner and brighter, and your breath could be fresher. It’s an excellent treatment that can help refresh your smile!

Hygienists are also the people to ask if you have any questions about brushing and flossing or think your technique could use some improvement. They can point out any areas you may be regularly missing when you clean your teeth and can offer practical advice on how to improve your oral hygiene routine.

Helping to Prevent Gum Disease


It is critical to maintain excellent gum health and to actively try to prevent gum disease because it is a very destructive condition that can cause tooth loss, or which might even affect your general health. Gum disease can develop because of poor oral hygiene, so if you have a lot of plaque and calculus on your teeth, then the toxins produced will gradually infect and inflame your gums.

One of the very first signs of gum disease, a condition called gingivitis, is noticing your gums bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage gum disease is completely reversible and can sometimes simply be treated with a professional dental cleaning. Removing the calculus that is causing the inflammation and infection will give your gums a chance to heal, and when combined with an improved oral hygiene routine at home can be enough to restore good gum health.

Ignoring or failing to notice these symptoms could cause gingivitis to worsen into a condition called periodontitis and this is the most destructive form of gum disease which frequently requires ongoing treatment to control it. It is far easier, quicker and cheaper to prevent it!

If it’s been a while since you had your teeth cleaned professionally, then contact our dentist in Courtice for your appointment.