Why Professional Teeth Cleaning is Key to Preventing Gum Disease
Posted on November 28, 2024
Visiting your local dentist in Vaughan is about more than just aesthetics of maintaining a brilliant white smile with teeth whitening or filling in cavities when you have a toothache. Regular dental exams and teeth cleaning at a trusted dental clinic are excellent ways to ensure that your teeth are not affected by excessive buildup of plaque and tartar. Regular checkups also allow your dentist to analyze your oral health and address the signs of gum disease before they worsen. The combination of scaling, polishing, and visiting the dentist ensures that your teeth have minimal plaque buildup, preserving the longevity of your smile. If you haven’t seen your dentist in Vaughan at least twice this year, book a consultation with the team at Expo City Dental. We offer a full suite of care, from dental implants and teeth whitening to emergency dental services in Vaughan.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is characterized by severe inflammation or infection of your gum tissue, which is caused by excess plaque and/or tartar buildup. The symptoms of gum disease include:
- Inflamed or “Puffy” Gums
- Red Gums
- Tenderness in the Gums
- Bleeding Gums
- Persistent Bad Breath
Common Causes of Gum Disease
- Poor brushing and flossing habits allow for excessive plaque buildup
- Having a diet high in starches and sugars helps feed plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth
- Genetics can contribute to your risk of developing gum disease
- Smoking cigarettes, marijuana, and vaping can also increase your risk of developing gum disease
What is Included in a Dental Cleaning?
The goal of professional dental cleanings is to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums by removing any bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup from their teeth. Dental cleanings also allow your dentist to address any other oral health issues such as cavities, gum recession, wisdom teeth issues, and more. This is why it is recommended that patients receive a professional cleaning every 4-6 months.
Dental cleanings include:
- Scaling: This helps remove tartar and plaque buildup.
- Polishing: This helps remove any surface stains from the teeth.
- Flossing: This helps remove any excess plaque or food from between the teeth.
- Fluoride: This is an optional step that can help strengthen enamel and reduce cavities.
- Dentist Check-in: At some point during your cleaning, the dentist will examine your teeth and gums and address your and your hygienist's concerns.
- X-rays: On occasion, x-rays are needed to address concerns outlined by your dentist or hygienist
How Regular Dental Cleanings Reduce the Risk of Gum Disease
Plaque and tartar are the main causes of gum disease. When left untreated, gum disease can progress into periodontitis, which can result in gum recession, tooth loss, and severe infections.
Professional cleanings help address gum disease by removing the main culprit. Having buildup professionally removed on a regular basis can prevent inflammation and infection of the gums, leading to a healthier smile. Even if you have strong oral hygiene habits, brushing and flossing cannot remove all of the plaque from your teeth. Scaling works by removing plaque that toothbrushes and floss cannot.
Prevent Gum Disease with Expo City Dental
Booking regular dental cleanings is essential to preventing gum disease. The reason why dentists in Vaughan are so adamant that patients receive regular cleanings is so they do not suffer from excess plaque or tartar buildup, both of which can lead to other oral health issues like gum recession or tooth loss. Improve your oral health by booking your semi-annual cleaning at Expo City Dental. Contact us today for cleanings, dental implants, and teeth whitening in Vaughan.