When plaque and tartar buildup from on your smile, this can lead to stained teeth, bad breath, and even a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease! To remove these harmful layers and keep your smile intact, we could offer a cleaning with an ultrasonic scaling. In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about the ultrasonic scaling process!

The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar

Over time, particles of sugar and starch left behind by the foods and drinks we consume will be trapped between the teeth or on the surfaces. This is especially true if you don’t brush and floss properly! As harmful bacteria break down and consume these particles, this coats the teeth in a sticky layer of plaque buildup. The buildup can then harden into tartar with time. These layers can make stains more visible, and lead to bad breath too. The same buildup also erodes the outer enamel to make cavities for, and could irritate and inflame the gums to cause gingivitis and even gum disease. But we can help by removing these layers with an ultrasonic scaling device!

Routine Dental Cleanings

A routine dental cleaning should happen every six months, or possibly every three to four if you have risk factors for gum disease. During your visit, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device to remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. The device will emit gentle vibrations to help remove these layers. Any stubborn portions of tartar can then be removed with a manual pick. The process only takes a few minutes, and can help lower the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. We recommend these for patients of all ages, even for kids as young as age two, to help protect the health and beauty of their smiles!

The Need for Scaling and Root Planing

We could also use the same tool as part of a scaling and root planing. If you have sore, red, and bleeding gums, then you likely have gum disease and need treatment to manage it. With a deep cleaning, we will use the same tools to remove the buildup from the teeth, but also from exposed roots and beneath the gum line too. This is a more involved procedure, and one that can make the disease manageable with routine cleanings and better oral health habits at home moving forward.

If you have any questions about how we protect your smile with an ultrasonic scaling device, then contact our team today.

Schedule An Appointment for a Cleaner Smile

Our team is ready to offer a brighter and healthier smile with ultrasonic scaling. You can schedule an appointment with our team at My Dentist in Londonderry, NH, today by calling 603-965-3407.