Whether it’s been a while since your last checkup and cleaning, or you have gum disease and are looking for relief, deep cleanings in Natick can help tackle harmful plaque buildup. Brushing and flossing aren’t enough to remove all plaque and tartar from your mouth. When it hardens and collects, it can cause serious oral health problems, which is why it’s so important to get rid of. Your dentist can help provide your mouth with relief by using special tools to treat your gum disease and clean up your smile. Read on to learn about how plaque builds up to cause oral problems and how deep cleanings can help.
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a film of sugars and bacteria that cover your teeth and is formed from unremoved food debris and saliva. Because it’s sticky, it can sometimes be hard to get off your teeth with a regular toothbrush. When it builds up, it can result in cavities and gum disease and harden into tartar.
How Does Plaque Build Up?
Everyone develops plaque in their mouth because bacteria is always present. It feeds off things we consume such as sugar. If you’re constantly exposing your mouth to sugars and starches without brushing and flossing regularly, it can lead to buildup. When this happens, plaque will turn into hardened tartar and form acids that weaken your enamel and cause cavities. Plaque accumulation can also irritate your gums and cause them to become swollen or bleed, leading to gum disease.
Plaque only takes about 12 days to form into tartar and hardens within just a few hours of forming on your teeth. So even if you skip a single day of brushing and flossing, hardened plaque will already have started attacking your enamel.
How Can Deep Cleaning Protect Your Oral Health?
When you visit your dentist in Natick for deep cleaning, it’ll involve two main parts: scaling and root planing. Typically, this process will take a couple of visits and your dentist may request a follow-up visit to make sure your gums and teeth are getting better.
Scaling is when your dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. If you have gum disease, they’ll be sure to clean out the pockets that have formed as a result of the accumulation. Next, they’ll perform root planing using a scaling tool to free the surface of your teeth of additional plaque and tartar.
After your treatment, bacteria will be removed, and your gums should begin to feel healthier in the following few weeks. It’s important to keep up with your oral hygiene to prevent detrimental health problems that could ruin your smile. Deep cleanings could save your oral health, so don’t put it off!
About the Author
Dr. Christina Papageorgiou has received multiple awards for providing the highest quality of dental care, including the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award for Excellence in Clinical Dentistry. With over 17 years of experience, she’s committed to getting to know her patients and giving them the individualized treatment they deserve. For any questions or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or contact 508-545-1126.