Plaque is a naturally occurring colorless film that forms on your teeth. While brushing and flossing can eliminate plaque, these techniques can’t access every nook and cranny in your mouth.
Rich Flores, DDS, LLC in Willoughby, Ohio, offers professional dental cleanings to remove plaque from all parts of the mouth, including hard-to-reach areas. It’s highly advisable to adhere to bi-annual dental cleanings to deny plaque a chance to start a destructive process in your mouth.
Poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of dental plaque. Inadequate flossing and brushing leave food debris and other deposits on your teeth. Over time, as oral bacteria feed on sugars left in your mouth, they form a sticky, colorless film that clings to the teeth (plaque). Dental plaque consists of bacteria, their byproducts, food particles, and saliva.
If plaque isn’t removed through regular oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing, it calcifies into dental calculus or tartar. Tartar isn’t only unattractive but can lead to several oral issues, including gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Tartar is tougher than plaque and can’t be removed through regular brushing — you need the help of a dental hygienist to remove dental calculus.
Dental cleanings at our office take about 60 minutes, although it may require additional appointments depending on the extensiveness of your oral hygiene needs. Before we clean your teeth, we examine your mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. If we find significant issues, these must be addressed first before a dental cleaning.
Our dental hygienist professionally cleans your teeth with dental scalers. Unlike your toothbrush or dental floss, this tool can access the areas between teeth and along the gum line where plaque and tartar love to hide. Once we eliminate all the dental calculus, we polish your teeth to create a smooth surface of enamel that will discourage plaque formation and give your teeth a natural-looking finish.
Professional dental cleanings don’t cause pain, so you have nothing to worry about during your upcoming appointment. Our dental team administers the procedure gently for your optimal comfort.
Are you due for a dental exam or cleaning in Willoughby, Ohio?
Please call (440) 856-8774 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rich Flores. We can’t wait to put your oral health back on track.
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