Dental Cleanings
--- Routine Dental Cleanings ---
Routine dental cleanings are important to maintaining good oral hygiene. Professional cleaning by a hygienist can remove mineralized plaque that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach. It is recommended you go in for a cleaning once every six months.
How it's done
You can expect your dental cleaning to last between 30 minutes and an hour. Typically, a trained hygienist will do the cleaning, and a dentist may come in for an exam at the end. Most people find that dental cleanings are painless, and do not cause any discomfort.
There are two important steps to a dental cleaning. The first step is scaling the teeth, whereby the hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces. This can be performed by hand or with electric scalers depending on the hygienists preference.Typically, the hygienist will also dig into the pockets of the gums to remove any plaque buildup there.
The second step is polishing to remove any final plaque and buff the teeth. Polishers generally have several different sized heads to clean hard to reach places.
How it's done
You can expect your dental cleaning to last between 30 minutes and an hour. Typically, a trained hygienist will do the cleaning, and a dentist may come in for an exam at the end. Most people find that dental cleanings are painless, and do not cause any discomfort.
There are two important steps to a dental cleaning. The first step is scaling the teeth, whereby the hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces. This can be performed by hand or with electric scalers depending on the hygienists preference.Typically, the hygienist will also dig into the pockets of the gums to remove any plaque buildup there.
The second step is polishing to remove any final plaque and buff the teeth. Polishers generally have several different sized heads to clean hard to reach places.
--- Periodontal Therapy at H.E.B Family Dentistry ---
Gingivitis is an early form of periodontitis, or gum disease. If you experience an occasional swelling of the gums, gums that bleed after brushing or flossing, itchy gums, or bright red or purple gums, chances are you have gingivitis. Gingivitis can be treated by having your teeth professionally cleaned, followed by a strict oral hygiene regimen, including anti-bacterial rinses.
Gingivitis is an early form of periodontitis, or gum disease. If you experience an occasional swelling of the gums, gums that bleed after brushing or flossing, itchy gums, or bright red or purple gums, chances are you have gingivitis. Gingivitis can be treated by having your teeth professionally cleaned, followed by a strict oral hygiene regimen, including anti-bacterial rinses.
Periodontitis
Left untreated, gingivitis can escalate into periodontitis - although there are other factors that can contribute to the disease, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes. Periodontitis symptoms include those of gingivitis, as well as a metallic taste in the mouth, receding gums, enlarged spaces between the gums and teeth, severe halitosis (bad breath), and even loose teeth (from loss of bone).
To rid your mouth of periodontitis, we remove the buildup of bacterial plaque through scaling and root planning. Alternatively, small pads treated with antibiotic solutions can be placed between the teeth and gums, which also help to reduce plaque and bacterial inflammation.
To rid your mouth of periodontitis, we remove the buildup of bacterial plaque through scaling and root planning. Alternatively, small pads treated with antibiotic solutions can be placed between the teeth and gums, which also help to reduce plaque and bacterial inflammation.
