Morrison Dental Associates News

Dental cleanings are critical to oral health! Our hygiene staff at Morrison Dental Associates skillfully remove tartar, plaque, and stains that are impossible for patients to do on t their own. We recommend that you have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year for these reasons ... and it's time to get back on schedule!

Teeth cleanings are essential because they remove hardened plaque from your teeth along with stains and tartar that regular brushing and flossing are not able to remove. Plaque and buildup can only be removed with specialized dental tools. Our dental hygienist will also check for signs of gingivitis, gum disease, oral cancer and other issues that could go undetected if you keep forgoing your dental cleaning appointments.

What Can Happen If Dental Cleanings are Missed?

Regular cleanings can help detect problems before they get worse as well as prevent certain issues from occurring in the first place. Some of the things that can happen if you continually miss dental cleanings include:

Cavities

Cavities and tooth decay can occur underneath built-up tartar and plaque because it is nearly impossible for you to remove on your own. Tooth decay can also occur between teeth, making it difficult to keep clean at home and may only be cleared away in a dental office.

Gum Disease

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar irritate the gum line. The gum line becomes inflamed and small pockets form around the teeth, allowing for more bacteria, food, and plaque to get in and further inflame the gums. This eventually leads to gum disease, which can cause tooth and bone loss. A simple teeth cleaning can help patients avoid gum disease.

Bad Breath

That white hardened plaque, brown tartar, and dental stains are all made up of bacteria that are next to impossible to remove on your own. This can cause a problem with bad breath that no amount of mints or gum will be able to cover for you. Certain dental stains can only be removed with special tools that your hygienist has been trained to use. If you’ve used at-home whitening treatments to no avail and are still experiencing stains, you will need a professional cleaning to remove these spots.

Loss of Teeth

When you neglect your teeth, you will eventually have to deal with tooth loss. Hardened plaque, tartar, and bacteria cause pockets around the teeth, which inflames the gums and can lead to complete tooth loss.

Risk of Oral Cancer

Dental cleanings also check for abnormalities, which can be signs of oral cancer and often go undetected during the early stages. Because of this, having routine dental cleanings can keep you up-to-date on any early signs of cancer so you can start treatment right away.

Pregnancy Complications

Because expectant mothers have increased hormonal fluctuations in their bodies, they are actually more susceptible to infections and gum disease. This can affect the baby because infections can spread through the bloodstream. In some cases, it has even lead to premature birth and low birth weight if not treated. Routine teeth cleanings can help prevent these complications.

The Risk to Overall Health

Poor oral hygiene has been linked to a wide range of other health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes complications, and high blood pressure. This is due to the fact that anything and everything in your mouth is easily ingested and absorbed into the bloodstream. If your mouth is full of bacteria and your oral hygiene is lacking, you’re introducing a series of harmful germs and substances into your bloodstream which can further compromise your health and well-being.

What is Involved During a Dental Cleaning?

Having your teeth cleaned professionally is painless and noninvasive. Anesthesia is not required and the entire cleaning process is done relatively quickly, depending on how much plaque and tartar has built up. General teeth cleanings involve:

• Initial Examination of Teeth
• Removal of Plaque and Tartar
• Teeth Polishing
• Thorough Flossing
• Fluoride Treatment (only for some patients)
• Oral Hygiene Recommendations

Find the Morrison Dental location near you to schedule a dental hygiene appointment!