To keep your teeth healthy, you need to brush twice a day and you need to do it properly using a good toothbrush and toothpaste. But that’s not enough.
The complete oral hygiene procedure also includes a visit to a dentist at least once a year.
The state of your oral health can then be monitored, and your teeth can be professionally cleaned as well.
While the American Dental Association may recommend visiting a dentist at least once a year, you can make an appointment with us so we can determine how often you require professional teeth cleaning. For example, if you’re a smoker you may need more frequent cleanings (and you need to quit smoking too!).
You also need to have your teeth professionally cleaned more often if you have a history of gum disease. Such procedure can prevent the disease or infection from recurring. The same is true if you suffer from chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. These medical conditions are also associated with dental problems.
There are several special tools used in professional cleaning:
- The first is called an ultrasonic cleaner. It makes your teeth vibrate to loosen the debris and plaque. An attached water hose sprays water to wash off the debris. This is quite painless, and the vibration can be adjusted if it’s too strong for you.
- The next tools are the periodontal scalers and curettes. They’re designed to match the shape of your teeth. They’re used to scrape off any tartar that the ultrasonic cleaner failed to shake off. If you have sensitive gums, a topical analgesic may be applied to minimize your discomfort during this stage.
- Finally, the polisher is used. This is a soft rubber cap that spins rapidly at the end instead of bristles. It’s meant to polish your teeth. Not only does it make your teeth shiny, it also smoothens the surfaces of your teeth so that it’s not as easy for plaque to adhere to your teeth.
Schedule a professional teeth cleaning procedure with Coastal Smiles today!