Teeth cleaning plays an important role in oral health and overall health. Therefore, we recommend having your Stone Oak teeth cleaned in our office twice a year.

Health professionals recognize a link between oral hygiene and overall health. During a general physical exam, your doctor will check all your body systems, including your heart, lungs, muscles, blood chemistry, skin, and general health.

If your doctor notices abnormalities or problems during routine exams, you may be asked to have specialist tests or medication.

During a dental exam, all parts of your mouth and throat will be evaluated to determine the health of your teeth, gums, soft tissues, and bones.

If any problems or abnormalities are detected, the dentist will recommend further tests or corrective procedures to restore health.

SO HOW LONG DOES THE CLEANING LAST?

A TYPICAL TOOTH CLEANING WILL LAST 30-60 MINUTES

Teeth cleaning is the basic procedure for studying and supporting oral health. A complete tooth cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

However, the time may vary for the cleaning procedure and depends on the state of your oral hygiene. Your oral health, the condition of your teeth, and the timeliness of the dental hygienist are all factors.

FIRST VISIT AND NEW PATIENT

At Blanco Crossing Dental, we want to provide you with a pleasant, safe, and relaxing experience during every dental treatment. If you are visiting our clinic for the first time, we ask that you complete forms that include your medical history and insurance information.

To reduce wait times, complete these forms at home and send them to us online or take them on your first visit.

Our professional staff will ask you about any medications you are taking, including herbal supplements. In addition, we will ask you about recent illnesses and hospitalizations and any ongoing medical conditions you have. This helps us understand your health condition and design a safe and personalized treatment plan.

PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING ELEMENTS

Teeth cleaning involves several steps, including: Professional dental hygienists remove stains, plaque, and tartar from your teeth

• Assess the condition of your gums

• Assess your overall oral health

• Polish your teeth with a dental hygienist

• dental floss

X-RAY

In addition, we often take X-rays to check the areas around and between our teeth to see if there is any decay. X-rays also show us the condition of the bones that support the teeth.

We use digital X-rays to minimize radiation exposure. After our dental hygienist has cleaned your teeth, he will conclude with an examination, discussing any problems he finds and recommending further treatment if necessary. Need.

REMOVES PLAQUE AND TARTAR

During a cleaning session, the dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky, transparent film from food, drink, and saliva that sticks to your teeth.

It promotes bacterial growth, erodes your teeth, and causes tooth decay. If it settles below the gum line, gum disease (periodontal disease) can develop.

Regular brushing and flossing will remove most plaque. However, some plaque persists even with good oral hygiene habits. Eventually, it calcifies and becomes tartar.

Therefore, a dental professional must remove Tartar during a dental cleaning performed by a hygienist or dentist. 

SCRAPE AWAY PLAQUE AND TARTAR WITH SCALERS

We use specialized dental tools to carefully remove plaque and tartar from teeth and along the gum line. This part of the tooth-cleaning process is called scaling. We use a scaler to clean each tooth, one at a time, to remove accumulated deposits and stains.

Rinse as you go to remove residue, saliva, and blood. If there is plaque or tartar below the gum line, you may need an extra deep cleaning (explained below) to remove them. After scaling, the next part of the tooth cleaning process is polishing.

The hygienist polishes your teeth with a slightly abrasive paste. This smooths the surface, prevents plaque from forming, and helps the gums adhere to the teeth.

DENTAL FLOSS

The final step the hygienist takes to clean your teeth is flossing to make sure we remove each plaque. We also discuss ways to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

For example, while we generally recommend cleaning your teeth every 6 to 12 months, we may recommend a different schedule based on your oral health.

Routine cleanings don't take too long and don't usually cause pain or discomfort. However, please let us know if you have concerns about dental procedures. We offer several relaxation and sedation options to help you feel comfortable during your teeth cleaning.

DEEP CLEANING TEETH

Swollen or bleeding gums, sensitive gums, or the growth of pockets separating gum tissue from your teeth are all signs of gum disease. Early treatment is important to preserve the tooth. If left untreated, the bone that holds your teeth in place erodes. Eventually, the tooth falls out.

In addition, you may experience other health effects of gum disease, including infection, bad breath, tooth decay, or bone loss.

CLEANING PERIODONTAL DISEASE

The first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, is caused by bacteria affecting the gums. As a result, you may have bleeding gums, swelling, redness, or pain.

Gingivitis can be treated with a thorough cleaning. We use several dental instruments to scrape plaque and tartar below the gum line including ultrasonic scalers.

Root planers remove bacteria and smooth uneven areas near the roots of teeth. Root planing can cause mild discomfort, so we usually numb your gums with a local anesthetic. We then spray an antiseptic on the teeth and roots to kill any remaining bacteria.

Depending on the extent of the problem, we may schedule multiple visits to the dentist to complete this thorough cleaning. We use local and local anesthetics to numb the area during the procedure for deep cleaning. A deep cleaning session lasts about 45 minutes.

Gum disease that has passed this stage is called periodontitis, which affects the bone and tissue that holds your teeth in place. Your gums may recede, and pockets may develop between your teeth and gums.

Bacteria penetrate these gaps, eating away teeth, tissues, and bones. Treatment depends on the extent of the problem. Advanced periodontitis may require surgery to be performed by a dentist. 

To treat advanced periodontitis requiring surgery, our dentist (Dr. Jabbour) will cut small flaps of gum tissue to expose the tooth portion underneath the gum tissue. After cleaning and disinfecting the area, we reattach the gums so they rest well against your teeth.

In addition, we offer several options for pain management during gum surgery. Your dentist will discuss these options before you begin to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure.

After scaling and planing or gum surgery, your teeth may be sensitive, and your gums may be sore. You will receive specific post-operative instructions based on your treatment from your dentist. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent bacteria from spreading or causing an infection.

Eating soft foods, avoiding hot and cold drinks, and gargling with warm salt water can ease discomfort. The pain, swelling, and redness should subside as your gums heal. During this time, it's important to continue brushing and flossing to prevent new bacteria from growing.