PREVENTIVE CARE
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy
Professional teeth cleaning is an essential part of your dental health maintenance routine. Even with excellent home care, buildup of plaque and tartar occurs that only professional cleaning can remove. Our professional cleanings remove harmful plaque and tartar, preventing cavities and gum disease while leaving your teeth feeling fresh and clean.
Regular professional cleanings, combined with daily brushing and flossing, are the most effective way to maintain a healthy smile throughout your life.
The Teeth Cleaning Process
Scaling: Using specialized ultrasonic or hand instruments, our hygienist removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. The ultrasonic scaler vibrates to loosen hardened tartar, and the suction removes it along with excess water.
Polishing: After scaling, your teeth are polished with a special paste and rotating polisher. This removes surface stains and makes your teeth feel smooth and clean.
Fluoride Treatment: We apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel and help prevent cavities. Fluoride creates a protective barrier against cavity-causing bacteria and acids.
The entire cleaning typically takes 30-45 minutes and leaves your teeth feeling remarkably clean.
Benefits of Professional Cleaning
- Removes tartar that brushing and flossing cannot
- Prevents gum disease and tooth decay
- Removes surface stains for a brighter smile
- Reduces bad breath by eliminating bacteria
- Allows us to identify problems early
- Polished teeth feel smoother and cleaner
- Fluoride treatment strengthens enamel
- Helps prevent tooth loss and bone loss
Maintaining Your Clean Teeth
After your professional cleaning, maintaining good oral hygiene at home is essential. Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria and freshen your breath.
Avoid sugary foods and beverages, don't smoke or use tobacco products, and schedule your next professional cleaning in six months to maintain your healthy smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need teeth cleaning?
Most people benefit from professional cleanings every six months. Patients with gum disease or other risk factors may need cleanings every three or four months for optimal oral health.
What's the difference between plaque and tartar?
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth daily. You can remove it by brushing and flossing. Tartar (calculus) forms when plaque hardens and can only be removed by professional cleaning.
Does teeth cleaning hurt?
Teeth cleaning is typically painless for patients with healthy gums. Patients with sensitive teeth or gum disease may experience mild discomfort, which we can minimize with proper technique and tools.
Will cleaning remove stains?
Professional cleaning removes surface stains caused by plaque, tartar, and dietary factors. For deeper discoloration, teeth whitening treatments are more effective.
Can I prevent tartar buildup?
While you can't completely prevent tartar, good oral hygiene (brushing twice daily and flossing) slows buildup. Regular professional cleanings remove tartar before it damages your gums.
