Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth which consists of bacteria, food debris and saliva. It can easily be removed with a toothbrush. If it is not removed, it will harden and become calculus (tartar). Calculus forms above and below the gum line, especially in places where your toothbrush can't reach, and is firmly attached to the tooth surface. It can only be removed with special dental instruments. Removing plaque and tarter improves your oral health and minimizes risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Semi-annually, you should schedule a professional dental cleaning (prophylaxis) and exam. During this visit, one of our Registered Dental Hygienists will use dental instruments to scale away tartar build-up, and then pleasantly polish the surface of your teeth to remove stains and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling. Your mouth is left feeling clean and refreshed!
As part of our commitment to provide you with the highest level of personalized care, our hygienists routinely perform risk assessments on all of our patients. Your risk of developing dental disease (cavities, gum disease, etc.) indicates how often preventative services (X-rays, cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, etc.) are necessary. Patients at low risk may require less frequent services, while those at higher risk may require more. Our goal is to provide you with a preventative care plan tailored to your specific needs and discuss ways in which you can lower your risk of developing dental disease, which will help keep you and your smile healthy for a lifetime.
If you are due for your semi-annual dental cleaning and exam, please call our office to schedule an appointment.