A conscientious routine of at-home oral hygiene can make the difference between great oral health and a succession of dental problems. But you need to combine this effort with regular professional dental cleanings to ensure a lifetime free from complicated oral health problems.

At Temple Dental Trails, we stress the importance of preventive services like dental cleanings to help you achieve optimal oral health. Staying one step ahead of problems like periodontal disease is the easiest way to avoid costly and complicated dental treatments in the future.

Why Are Dental Cleanings Important?

No matter how well you take care of your teeth at home, only routine professional dental cleanings can completely remove the buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. That’s why we follow the guidelines of the American Dental Association and recommend twice-yearly cleanings for you and your family.

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a serious threat to your oral health and overall well-being. If gum disease is not caught in its early stages during routine cleanings at our Temple dental office, it can cause teeth to loosen and will eventually lead to tooth and bone loss. In fact, gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

Professional dental cleanings at our Temple dental office are performed by one of our highly skilled, Registered Dental Hygienists. They are trained to recognize and treat gum disease in its earliest stages, and in addition to a dental exam, your semi-annual cleanings includes:

• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a film that collects on your teeth and is made up of food debris, saliva, and bacteria. These bacteria produce toxins that inflame your gums and eventually lead to periodontal disease.
• Removal of tartar: When plaque is allowed to accumulate on your teeth, it hardens and forms a deposit called tartar. Regular brushing can remove some plaque, but it will not remove tartar, which adheres to your teeth above and below the gum line.  Tartar can only be removed by a hygienist using special instruments.
• Teeth Polishing: Polishing is the final step in the process of your professional cleaning. We polish your teeth to remove any lingering plaque and surface stains, and to give your mouth a fresh, clean feeling.

Skilled Care With a Gentle Touch

We want you to feel good about making and keeping appointments for regular dental cleanings. Our hygienists are very caring and gentle, and they know how to make sure that you are completely comfortable each time you visit.

During your cleaning, your hygienist will be happy to answer any of your questions about proper hygiene techniques. We stress patient education because we know that when you are informed, you are more likely to take the necessary steps to protect your oral health.

Dental cleanings are one of the most important services we provide because they allow us to stay one step ahead of periodontal disease and other oral health problems. Please contact our Temple dental office and a friendly member of our team will help you set up your next appointment for a dental cleaning and exam.