Types Of Dental Cleaning Needed To Protect The Teeth

Posted on: 19 February 2018

Although tooth-whitening applications can help your teeth look cleaner, they don't actually improve or protect the health of the teeth. Teeth that are kept free of plaque, tartar, and food particles are less likely to incur decay. 

Decay occurs when bacterial acids eat away the enamel of the teeth. As the acids make contact with the enamel, they dissolve important minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus. Eventually, holes or cavities form in the tooth material. 

Small cavities can be treated with a filling or an application of bonding material. However, cavities that are larger may require a filling and a dental cap. In some instances, a cavity may become deep enough to allow the inner chambers of a tooth to become infected. When an infection occurs, the tooth may require a root canal due to the inflammation of the tooth's pulp. If the tooth is too severely damaged for treatment, it must be removed.

Nevertheless, cavities can be avoided through the proper the proper cleaning of the teeth. Here are a few types of dental cleaning that are needed to protect the health of the teeth.

Brushing and Flossing

Brushing and flossing are important components of at-home dental care. They offer effective ways to remove plaque and debris from the teeth on a consistent basis.

When brushing, it is important to use a soft-bristled brush with a head that is small enough to fit in the back of the mouth with ease. Hard bristles can be too abrasive for the enamel, eventually leading to enamel erosion. Additionally, overly firm bristles can irritate the sensitive tissues of the gums.

Flossing can be performed with string floss or an oral irrigator. Flossing is necessary to remove plaque and debris from between the teeth, where a toothbrush is unable to reach.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Unlike at-home dental cleaning sessions, professional dental cleanings usually take place once every six months. During the cleanings, tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing and flossing, is scaled from the teeth.

Tartar is a plaque that has calcified, hardening into place. The substance is not soft enough to be removed without the use of a scaler. 

Dental professionals scrape away tartar accumulations that have developed along the gumline and between the teeth. The tartar is porous, so it can harbor oral bacteria an dental plaque. Its removal ensures that plaque and other harmful substances have fewer hiding places within the mouth.

To schedule an appointment for a professional dental cleaning, contact the office of a dentist in your local area. To learn more, visit a website like http://www.vanyodentistry.com

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