Tag: teeth cleaning near me

No matter how diligent your at-home oral care routine is, harmful bacteria can still hide in your mouth in places that are hard to reach with regular brushing and flossing. After some time, the accumulated plaque and tartar can pose serious risks to your oral health and even affect your overall health if the bacteria spreads from your mouth to various body tissues. As such, it should be removed by a dental professional using specialized oral cleaning tools at a recommended interval. 

Bacteria Growth in Your Mouth 

The warm and moist environment in your mouth is very hospitable for the growth of bacteria, which manifests as:

• Plaque – the biofilm formed by bacteria colonies living in your mouth. It is responsible for producing acid that can wear your teeth causing cavities and/or damage gums if not continuously removed by regular brushing
• Tartar or calculus – forms when plaque is not removed properly, causing it to calcify and mineralize into a hard substance that attracts more harmful bacteria. Calculus can only be removed during dental cleanings using specialized tools. 

Dental Cleanings Prevent Gum Disease 

Bacteria in your mouth can accumulate to a point where it becomes active and destructive, resulting in gum infection. The first stage of gum infection is known as gingivitis, and is characterized by gum inflammation, swelling, and reddening. Due to sensitive gums, you may also notice some blood on your toothbrush or when rinsing your mouth after brushing. Fortunately, gingivitis can be successfully treated with professional dental cleaning and an improved at-home oral care routine. 

If there are no interventions, gingivitis can advance to a more serious case of gum disease known as periodontitis or periodontal disease. It affects the foundation of your teeth – the bone tissue connecting your teeth to the jaw. If not treated promptly, periodontitis can cause severe bone loss that loosens your teeth with some even falling out. Though it’s irreversible, dental professionals can help you manage the symptoms and improve your oral health. 

Schedule Your Dental Cleaning Today 

Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine the best type of dental cleaning in Watertown MN to improve your oral health and reduce the risk of advanced gum disease and cavities. 

There are several types of dental cleanings that may help to remove accumulated plaque and tartar in your mouth, and improve your overall oral health. The American Dental Association recommends that prophylaxis cleanings be performed every six months by your general dentist as a part of your preventative dental care. Prophylaxis is also referred to as “teeth cleaning”, and involves the removal of accumulated plaque from the surface of your teeth above the gumline, as well as tooth polishing. 

Prophylaxis is performed using fine hand instruments, as well as an ultrasonic scaler and a polishing cup and paste if there are no signs of gum disease. Generally, a good candidate for prophylaxis should have firm, pink gums with no bleeding, and the gum pockets should be within the healthy range of 1 – 3mm. Though the ADA recommends prophy cleaning every six months, people at high risk of gum disease and other oral issues may require more frequent cleaning at 8 – 16 week intervals. 

Will Prophylaxis Cleaning Work for Me?

There are some cases where regular prophylaxis cleaning may not be enough to improve your oral health. Your dental professional will examine your teeth and gums and then determine the best type of alternative cleaning for your individual needs. The other types of dental cleaning include:

• Full Mouth Debridement – it is recommended for people whose teeth have not been professionally cleaned for more than a year, resulting in heavy plaque and tartar (calculus) build-up. This procedure is typically performed before an oral examination and diagnosis to ensure good visibility of the actual condition of your mouth
• Scaling and root planing – commonly referred to as “deep cleaning”, this procedure is recommended for patients who exhibit signs of periodontal disease, such as deeper gum pockets (over 3mm), inflammation and bleeding gums, accumulation of plaque and tartar below the gumline, and/or loss of bone tissue supporting the teeth.
• Periodontal maintenance – following treatment for periodontal disease, your dental professional may recommend this specialized cleaning every 8 – 12 weeks as part of your ongoing treatment for chronic periodontal disease to reduce the risk of adverse symptoms. 

Please visit your dentist to discuss your dental cleaning in Watertown MN today.

The importance of your exam and cleaning

The most basic dental appointment is also the most necessary: This is the bi-annual checkup and clean. Routine exams and cleanings create a strong base for your oral health. Keeping up with these appointments will help you maintain exceptional oral health and avoid disease or decay.

Dental exams are typically quick and easy. You’ll spend about 45 minutes to an hour at the office for a routine exam with your dentist!

Dental Exam

At the exam, we will be checking your teeth with a few “bite downs” and “open wides”. The process of looking for any dental issues is rather straightforward. Depending on your case, the dentist might also want to do a quick set of X-rays as well.

Dental Cleaning

The cleaning portion of the exam is more effective than any toothbrush. Following the removal of plaque and tartar, your dentist will conduct the deepest clean possible, using a high-powered electric brush. Your dentist will then floss your teeth for you and will finish off the session with a fluoride treatment that protects teeth against cavities for months on end. You will leave the dentist’s office not only looking sharp but also feeling fresh.

There are both beneficial and harmful bacteria in your mouth. The beneficial bacteria aids in digestion, while the harmful kind is associated with gum disease, dental caries, bad breath, and many other oral issues. Through daily brushing and flossing at home, you can maintain a low level of harmful bacteria in your mouth to such a level that it doesn’t adversely affect your oral health in the short-term. Unfortunately, there are areas in your mouth that are hard to clean with a toothbrush, where bacteria may build up in your mouth and cause harm. 

Professional cleaning helps to prevent this by targeting every corner of your mouth to remove built-up plaque and calculus. This offers many benefits, including:

• Reduced tooth wear and cavities from acids in the mouth – plaque, the biofilm formed by bacteria colonies living in your mouth, is responsible for producing acid that can erode your teeth, cause cavities, and damage your gums. 
• Maintaining your bright smile – when plaque is not removed properly, it may calcify and mineralize into a hard substance (tartar) that not only changes the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, but also attracts more harmful bacteria. Tartar or calculus can only be removed during dental cleanings using specialized tools. 
• Reduced risk of gingivitis – bacteria in your mouth can accumulate to a point where it becomes active and destructive, resulting in gum infection. The first stage of gum infection is known as gingivitis, and is characterized by gum inflammation, swelling, and reddening. Due to sensitive gums, you may also notice some blood on your toothbrush or when rinsing your mouth after brushing. Fortunately, gingivitis can be successfully treated with professional dental cleaning and an improved at-home oral care routine. 
• Prevention of periodontitis – If there are no interventions, gingivitis can advance to a more serious, chronic, and irreversible case of gum disease known as periodontitis or periodontal disease. It affects the foundation of your teeth – the bone tissue connecting your teeth to the jaw. If not treated promptly, periodontitis can cause severe bone loss that loosens your teeth with some even falling out. Though it’s irreversible, dental professionals can help you manage the symptoms and improve your oral health. 

Schedule Dental Cleaning Today 

Professional dental cleaning can help you enjoy a healthy mouth and smile. Please visit your dentist for a thorough examination of your mouth and to determine the best type of dental cleaning in Watertown MN to improve your oral health.

While many dental procedures can be dreadful, teeth cleanings are easily tolerated by most people because they’re not only simple and painless, but also an important part of maintaining your long-term oral health. Ideally, dental cleanings should be performed every 6-12 months to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar that can cause oral problems such as bad breath, cavities, gum disease, loose teeth, and so on. But your dentist may recommend shorter intervals if you’re at greater risk due to pregnancy, your lifestyle habits, or your general health. 

So what exactly happens during a regular dental cleaning?

1. Tartar and Plaque Removal 

The actual teeth cleaning process involves the use of specialized tools, such as scalers to remove plaque and calculus from the surface of individual teeth, between the teeth, and around the gum line. This step may take longer if it has been a long time since your last cleaning. 

2. Polishing  

When all the plaque and tartar has been removed from your teeth, the hygienist will use a special  brush with a soft rubber cup. This not only removes any surface stains, but also makes your tooth surface smooth and shiny to make it harder for plaque to form. 

3. Expert Flossing 

This step helps to thoroughly clean the area between your teeth to remove any leftover plaque and toothpaste from the previous steps. 

4. Rinsing 

The dental hygienist uses a mouth rinse with liquid fluoride to remove any debris and clean your mouth. 

5. Fluoride Treatment 

As the final step, your dental hygienist may apply flavored fluoride by putting it in flexible trays that are then placed over your teeth for 30 seconds. This helps to strengthen your teeth and enhance the protection against plaque and calculus. 

Following the cleaning, your mouth may feel fresher and your teeth appear brighter. This is because teeth cleaning helps to prevent and treat gum disease and maintain tooth health, but also enhance the appearance of your smile. To learn more about what to expect from a routine dental cleaning in Watertown MN, please contact our office today.