Emergency Dental Services in Albuquerque, NM

The American Dental Association recommends everyone visit their dentist for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning at least twice a year. But what does professional teeth cleaning involve?

Routine Teeth Cleaning

A routine teeth cleaning is a dental procedure in which the dentist or dental hygienist removes from a patient's teeth plaque that have built up over time. This buildup can lead to stains, discoloration, cavities, or gum disease if not removed. During a dental cleaning, the teeth are cleaned above and below the gum line. This provides a deep clean for your entire mouth and can help remove built-up plaque and tartar.

Routine teeth cleanings are necessary because hard-to-reach plaque and tartar buildup cannot be removed through regular brushing and flossing. And the removal of these plaque and tartar help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, making these cleaning appointments critical. 

During a session, your dentist in Albuquerque, NM will first examine the mouth to make sure there are no signs of decay or other issues. Then they will floss between each and every tooth to remove any leftover food particles and plaque from between them. Once they are finished flossing, the teeth are polished with a rotating bristle brush and then rinsed with an antibacterial mouthwash. Finally, the teeth will be checked for the presence of any cavities before they are administered a fluoride treatment to strengthen the enamel and prevent future corrosion of the teeth and soft tissues.

After a routine dental cleaning, patients are often left with a brighter smile. Some patients even experience the fresher breath as well. Dental cleanings are non-invasive but play an important role in ensuring good oral health.

Dental cleanings are beneficial as they help in the following ways:

• Eliminates plaque and tartar buildup
• Helps prevent gum disease
• Removes bad breath
• Prevent dental stains and white spots on teeth 
• Prevent tooth decay

Deep Cleaning 

If a patient has periodontal disease, they will need to undergo a procedure known as scaling and root planing. This procedure is called deep cleaning and is necessary to remove the dangerous toxins that are present below the gum line as well as the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Deep cleanings are more invasive than regular teeth cleanings and require patients to be numbed to make sure that they feel no discomfort while the work is being done. 

Dental deep cleaning refers to professional teeth cleaning procedures that remove plaque and tartar from below the gums, where normal brushing cannot reach. Scaling and root planing are two types of deep-cleaning treatments performed by dentists.

Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the tooth surface both above and below the gum line. Root planing is the process of smoothing the tooth roots to prevent future buildup of tartar. Both of these treatments are usually completed in one visit. After these procedures are done, the patient will need to undergo several rounds of periodontal maintenance to ensure that all the bacteria have been completely removed from the oral cavity.

To learn more about the routine and deep cleaning procedures offered by Osuna Dental Care, call us at (505) 884-1989 or visit our dental office located at 5900 Cubero Dr NE suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87109.