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Regular Cleaning
Regular Teeth Cleaning Appointments in Minneapolis
Regular dental hygiene is the foundation for a healthy mouth, teeth and gums. In order to maintain good oral health, a regular cleaning should be performed every six months by a dental hygienist, in conjunction with a regular dental checkup by a dentist.
Oral health threats
The main threats to good oral health are tooth decay and gum disease. Both start with the bacteria in the mouth which, after a period of time, form plague that discharge acids. These acids wear down the protective enamel surrounding teeth and eventually cause decay.
If plague is not removed by a hygienist or dentist in a proper period of time, it begins to harden into calculus — also known as tartar — which along with plague inflame the surrounding gums. Inflamed gums tend to bleed and fall away from the teeth causing them to have less support and less protection. This sets up a repeating cycle where the conditions in the mouth continuously worsen, and results eventually in gum disease.
Removing these threats with a regular cleaning
While daily brushing and flossing removes most of this plague, no matter how well we brush each day — even with the best brushing and flossing techniques — not all the plague can removed. This residual plague is what the hygienist removes during a regular cleaning on the patient's hygiene visit.
Read more about regular cleaning from the American Dental Association, or simply ask your dentist at your next visit.