Our doctor and dental team are proud to offer a comprehensive variety of services such as teeth cleaning in El Paso, TX. If you would like to maintain the health of your teeth, you’ll likely take several steps to reach that goal. You probably brush your teeth multiple times each day and use a mouth rinse to kill the germs in your mouth.
Although these steps can do wonders to protect your oral health, they won’t always give you the results you need. It’s vital you reach out to a dentist in your area if you are serious about keeping your teeth in top shape. Opting for a teeth cleaning service twice a year gives you a smile of which you can be proud.
Dental Exam, X-rays, & Teeth Cleaning
At a dental exam, your dentist or hygienist checks every tooth, and your gums, cheek, and tongue. Healthy teeth thrive in a healthy mouth. Your dentist will check every structure and surface in your mouth for cavities, signs of gum disease, infections, or other possible health issues.
You may be wondering why an x-ray may be necessary during a teeth cleaning appointment with the dentist. The truth is that x-rays allow dentists to look beyond the surface and see what is invisible to the naked eye.
Now that you know the importance of exams and x-rays in the detection of dental problems, you may be wondering why cleanings are necessary. There is nothing more important to your dental health than maintaining a clean mouth. In dentistry, cleaning is more appropriately termed prophylaxis. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines prophylaxis as measures to preserve health and prevent the spread of disease.
What to Expect from Teeth Cleaning
Before beginning the cleaning process, the hygienist uses a small concave mirror to check the patient’s mouth for any signs of oral problems, such as inflamed gums, plaque, tartar buildup, or dark spots on the teeth. This helps the hygienist know what to focus on during the cleaning. If more serious issues such as cavities or gum disease are found, the hygienist most often informs the dentist for a more thorough examination.
Prevent Tooth Decay & Gum Disease
The prevention, or absence, of infection, optimizes your overall health and well-being. A consistently clean mouth is more likely to be free of disease, infection, unsightly decay, and gum disease. Your hygienist at Dentist Near Me will not only provide you with a thorough cleaning but humbly teach you how to properly care for your teeth and gums.
Remove Stains
A professional dental cleaning will remove the surface build-up of plaque and tartar, as well as some fresh stains that are not yet deep into your teeth. Such cleaning is typically performed on healthy adult teeth that show no bone loss or infection, and that do not have periodontal disease.
As for stains, your twice-yearly teeth cleaning will make your teeth cleaner and brighter overall, but may not be able to eliminate all stains. However, they do help make teeth less prone to staining. Keeping your tooth enamel clean mitigates the effects of such stain producers as tobacco, wine, coffee, and tea. Professional cleaning by your dentist also works against gum disease and tooth decay and helps to make your teeth stronger and more resilient. It gives you a brighter smile, too!
Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis is gum inflammation and usually precedes periodontitis, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. For patients diagnosed with gingivitis, it is not all doom and gloom. Not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.
Gum disease is something people experiencing symptoms of cannot afford to put off or leave unattended because untreated periodontitis rarely gets better on its own.
If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, it is imperative to call your dentist ASAP. Your dentist will examine your teeth and confirm the diagnosis. If caught early, periodontitis can be kept in check with a thorough dental cleaning and a strong at-home oral care routine.
Deep Cleaning: Scaling & Root Planing
Using a small hooked tool called a scaler, the hygienist removes any plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, near the gum line, and in between the teeth. Depending on how much buildup is present, either a manual or ultrasonic scaler is used. A manual scaler feels like scraping on the teeth while the ultrasonic scaler uses gentle vibration and water for removing large deposits.
Don’t forget to brush at least twice a day so tartar doesn’t harden into plaque. Floss once a day, too, to break up bacteria between teeth your brush can’t quite reach. And fluoride rinse is never a bad idea.
Schedule a Dental Cleaning in El Paso Today!
Give us a call today to schedule a dental exam, X-rays, and teeth cleaning. At, Dentist Near Me in El Paso, TX our dental staff will answer any questions you have about teeth cleanings, dental procedures, and insurance and financial options. Call us at (915) 213-5480, or fill out the form on this page.