Proactive Smile Maintenance
All harmful oral bacteria need to attack your teeth and gums is for you to ignore them. Left to their own devices, they’ll accumulate into dental plaque, cling to your teeth and gums, calcify into tartar, and begin systematically eroding your tooth structure or infecting your gum tissues. In addition to brushing and flossing plaque off of your teeth at least twice every day, controlling plaque and tartar buildup also requires routine professional maintenance with your dentist and hygienist. During a checkup and cleaning appointment, we can professionally clean away all traces of bacteria from your teeth and gums, and check for early signs of problems that may put you at risk.
Cleanings and ultrasonic scaling
Once plaque becomes tartar (or calculus), your toothbrush and floss won’t be enough to remove it. The only way to clean your teeth of tartar is with professional equipment at your dentist’s office. The longer oral bacteria are protected by the calcified film, the greater your risks of developing tooth decay and gingivitis. If plaque and tartar have developed underneath your gums, then we may recommend ultrasonic scaling and root planing, also referred to as periodontal cleaning. Using advanced ultrasonic technology, we can gently break up and remove the plaque and tartar buildup that has occurred on your teeth roots, allowing your gum tissues to heal and reattach to your teeth.
Dental exams and screenings
In addition to thoroughly cleaning your teeth (and teeth roots, if necessary), we’ll also perform a comprehensive examination and screening during every visit. A careful visual inspection can reveal signs of trouble such as weakened or eroded tooth enamel, which could mean a cavity is imminent. We might also spot signs of gingivitis early enough to reverse it, or at least effectively control it, with ultrasonic scaling and root planing. Your examination will also include a comprehensive oral cancer screening, during which we’ll look for signs of oral cancer such as rough, discolored patches of skin, ulcers, sores, and more.
Schedule your checkup and cleaning
In addition to practicing good hygiene every day, keeping your smile healthy requires visiting the dentist on a regular basis. To learn more, schedule your appointment at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Houston, TX, today by calling (281) 974-4494.