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Who are the partners?
Dental health begins with
good oral hygiene. This requires professional care and guidance
provided by your dentist and dental hygienist, combined with proper
care at home by you. That's the partnership. When you follow a
recommended home care routine and have regular professional care,
you will be able to maintain healthier teeth and gums.
Why you need a prophylaxis
(professional cleaning).
Professional cleaning removes plaque, calculus (tartar), and stain
from the teeth. The cleaning may be done by your dentist or dental
hygienist, a licensed professional who performs prophylaxis
(professional cleaning) in the dental office and provides education
in proper care of the teeth and gums.
What is plaque?
Plaque is a sticky film that
constantly forms on all areas of your teeth. It is composed of
bacteria, by-products of bacteria, and your saliva. Plaque bacteria
use sugar and other carbohydrates to grow and to form acids which
attack tooth enamel and can cause cavities. Plaque that builds up
along the gumline and between teeth in hard to reach places can be
harmful. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that can irritate
the gums causing them to turn red, swell and bleedthe signs
typically associated with gingivitis. Recognizing gingivitis is
important because it is reversible. Unnoticed, ignored or simply
not taken care of, gingivitis can sometimes progress to a more
advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis. It is easy to
see why brushing and cleaning between teeth with floss or other
interdental cleaners to remove plaque is essential to keep your
teeth and gums healthy.
What is calculus (tartar)?
Minerals in saliva combine
with plaque at the tooth surface and harden into a rough, unsightly
deposit called calculus (tartar). Calculus, which is mostly
mineral, provides a rough surface that makes thorough plaque removal
more difficult. Your toothbrush and floss can't remove calculus
once it has formed. Calculus can only be removed during a regular
dental prophylaxis.
What a prophylaxis (professional
cleaning) does that you can't do for yourself?
A prophylaxis is a scaling
and polishing procedure performed to remove normal plaque, calculus
and stains. While the main objective of the prophylaxis is to help
prevent gum disease, it can also improve the appearance of your
teeth by making them look clean and bright. Scaling is performed
using instruments to remove calculus from the teeth. Polishing with
a special paste by means of a motorized instrument removes remaining
plaque and surface stains caused by various foods, beverages and
tobacco. Polished tooth surfaces make it more difficult for plaque
and debris to accumulate.
How to get the most from your home
care routine.
You can help improve your
oral hygiene by making plaque and calculus (tartar) control part of
your daily routine.
Proper brushing
helps remove plaque from the outer,
inner, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. An accepted method for
proper brushing is shown below. Your dentist or hygienist may
suggest another.
Flossing
thoroughly helps remove plaque and
debris from between the teeth, especially in hard-to-reach areas at
and slightly under the gumline. A suggested flossing technique is
shown below.
Between office visits, use a
fluoride toothpaste that protects against cavities and reduces
tartar formation.
For Better Results, Brush and
Floss Properly
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