Plaque and Tartar Removal in Hilliard, OH

Transform Your Smile With Our Hilliard Dentist’s Dental Cleaning Services

Regular dental cleanings are essential for maintaining optimal oral health and a beautiful smile. Even with diligent brushing and flossing at home, professional dental cleanings twice a year are crucial for removing stubborn plaque buildup and hardened tartar (dental calculus) that forms in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.

Discover how our comprehensive plaque and tartar removal process at our Hilliard, OH, dental practice can help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other serious dental health issues. Call our Hilliard dental office at (614) 771-6060 to schedule your dental cleaning appointment.

What Is Dental Plaque?

Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth after eating or drinking. This soft biofilm contains millions of bacteria that feed on food debris and produce harmful acids that attack tooth enamel, eventually leading to cavities and gum inflammation if not removed daily through proper brushing and flossing.

How Plaque Becomes Tartar

When plaque remains on teeth for more than 48 hours, it begins to harden into tartar (dental calculus) – a cement-like substance containing calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium phosphate. Unlike plaque, tartar can’t be removed by brushing or flossing at home. Only a dental professional can safely remove tartar from your teeth through plaque and tartar removal using specialized dental tools.

The Essential Benefits of Professional Plaque and Tartar Removal

Professional plaque and tartar removal offers numerous benefits for your oral health:

• Prevents tooth decay and cavities by removing bacteria that produce tooth-damaging acids
• Reduces risk of gum disease by eliminating plaque and tartar along the gum line
• Freshens breath by removing bacteria that cause bad breath
• Removes surface stains for a brighter, more attractive smile
• Supports overall health by reducing oral bacteria that may contribute to systemic conditions
• Saves money by preventing costly dental procedures down the road

Who Needs More Frequent Dental Cleanings?

While the American Dental Association recommends professional dental cleanings every six months for most people, some individuals may benefit from more frequent plaque and tartar removal visits:

• People who smoke or use tobacco products
• Individuals with orthodontic appliances like braces
• Those with a history of gum disease or recurrent cavities
• Patients with dry mouth conditions (which reduce natural saliva production)
• People with diets high in sugary and starchy foods
• Individuals with a genetic predisposition to dental problems
• Those with compromised immune systems

Our Professional Plaque and Tartar Removal Process

At our Hilliard dental practice, we follow a thorough process to ensure your teeth are plaque-free and healthy:

1. Comprehensive Oral Examination: Your dental hygienist will begin by examining your teeth and gums to assess the extent of plaque and tartar buildup, checking for signs of gum inflammation, bleeding gums, and other potential dental health issues.
2. Professional Scaling: Using specialized dental tools, your dental hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces, including below the gum line where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach. This process is called scaling and is essential for removing hardened plaque that has calcified into tartar.
3. Advanced Polishing: After scaling, your teeth will be polished using a special grit paste that removes remaining plaque and surface stains, leaving your tooth surfaces smooth and clean. This helps prevent bacteria from adhering to teeth and reduces future plaque buildup.
4. Protective Fluoride Treatment: To strengthen your tooth enamel and provide added protection against tooth decay, we may apply a professional strength fluoride treatment. This creates a protective barrier that helps remineralize weakened areas of tooth enamel.

The entire dental cleaning process typically takes 30-45 minutes, depending on the amount of plaque and tartar present and the condition of your gums.

Maintaining Optimal Oral Health Between Cleanings

After your professional dental cleaning, follow these essential steps to maintain your oral health:

• Brush twice daily for two minutes each time with fluoride toothpaste
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging gums and enamel
• Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles between teeth
• Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen breath
• Limit consumption of sugary foods and drinks that feed plaque-causing bacteria
• Stay hydrated to prevent dry mouth and promote saliva production
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles become frayed