teeth cleaning humble tx

Routine teeth cleanings are one of the most important things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These cleanings can be scheduled with your general dentist and are critical to good oral health. It’s part of an overall strategy for maintaining a bright, beautiful smile.

Reach out to Lovett Dental Humble today to learn more. Our dentists and hygienists will ensure that you leave with a clean, bright smile.

Top Teeth Cleaning Services

More than half of people over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease — that’s about 64.7 million individuals in the U.S. Teeth cleaning is the best way to avoid tooth loss from this disease.

Good oral hygiene is about more than just keeping teeth safe, though. Poor oral health is linked to potentially deadly diseases like oral cancer and endocarditis, an infection of the heart. Gum disease can cause complications during pregnancy, as well.

A combination of what you do at home and what is done during teeth cleaning and dental exams helps reduce your risk of conditions that affect your teeth, gums, and overall health.

What Is Included in a Teeth Cleaning?

It’s an umbrella concept that combines what you do at home with what the dentist does during a professional cleaning and exam. Teeth cleaning means:

  • Brushing at home
  • Flossing at home
  • Eating right, minimizing sugar and starches
  • Deep cleaning for healthy gums
  • Professional cleaning by a dental hygienist

In some cases, it might also refer to scaling and root planing to improve the health of your gums.

Brushing

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is the first line of defense against dental diseases. Without regular brushing, bacteria that cause tooth decay build-up, and food lingers under the gum line.

Proper brushing removes plaque and debris. When possible, you should brush 30 minutes after you eat. WIthout that brushing, the bacteria in plaque will produce acid the next time it comes in contact with food. That acid wears away tooth enamel and damages soft tissue. If you are unsure how to brush properly, ask at your next teeth cleaning and dental exams.

Flossing

Flossing daily removes any food caught between the teeth. Left there, bacteria will attack the food and irritate gum tissue. Over time, the acid from the bacteria will wear gum tissue down, causing gingivitis and, eventually, periodontal disease.

Flossing takes a little practice. If you are not sure how to do it right, ask for a demonstration at your teeth cleaning.

Professional Dental Cleaning and Deep Cleaning

During a professional teeth cleaning, the hygienist removes tartar from your teeth. Tartar is plaque that has hardened on the teeth. When tartar is allowed to build on the teeth, it can compromise the gum tissue, causing inflammation and the tissue to recede.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a type of teeth cleaning that focuses on the gum tissue. When bacteria in plaque makes gums sore and inflamed, pockets can form under the tissue.

Plaque that builds up in those pockets is not accessible by either a toothbrush or dental floss. It can only be removed as part of teeth cleaning and dental exams. Left unchecked, the plaque can lead to gum disease that causes bone and tooth loss.

Effective Teeth Cleanings at Lovett Dental Humble

Lovett Dental Humble is a multidisciplinary dental practice. In addition to general dentistry, we offer an array of specialty services such as:

If you are looking for professional teeth cleaning or have questions about your dental health, contact Lovett Dental Humble at 281-441-9000 today.