Dental Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings are an essential part of preventive dentistry. At Orange Grove Dental in New Port Richey, our dentists and registered dental hygienist work as a team to make sure you have the highest level of preventive oral health care. Don’t delay in scheduling a dental cleaning to maintain your oral health and brighten your smile. You can rely on us for friendly, gentle thoroughness.

Why Everyone Needs to Have Professional Teeth Cleanings

Hundreds of types of bacteria can inhabit the mouth. Gum inflammation and dental decay start as dental plaque builds up on the surfaces of teeth. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, saliva and food debris. Daily brushing and flossing does not consistently clean away all food debris and bacteria—especially between teeth, in the pits of teeth, and at the gum line where it is difficult to fully clean teeth. If you have a history of gum disease, gum pockets may have developed that are even more difficult to fully clean out. And, yet, thorough is necessary for gum tissue to heal and to eliminate the risk of dental decay.

Dental decay is a localized mineral loss due to the acid produced by certain bacteria as they feed on the carbohydrates we eat. Although saliva replenishes some tooth minerals between meals, a diet high in carbohydrates can lead to a low pH that encourages plaque to develop and results in more minerals being eroded away than replaced. The process of dental caries then begins and, if left unchecked, progresses. When dental decay breaches the enamel and allows bacteria to reach the pulp of the tooth, the inflammatory response to this infection becomes quite painful.

Periodontal disease begins as dental plaque irritates your gum tissue. If left untreated, the inflammation advances, and the gum tissue begins to pull away from the base of the teeth, forming “gum pockets” of space where the bacteria continue to colonize. Periodontitis is gum inflammation that has advanced below the gum line. Individuals with chronic gum inflammation and periodontitis are at increased risk of systemic disease, as bacteria and viruses in the mouth find entry into the bloodstream. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss. Mineral loss is accelerated and the roots and surrounding bone are eroded in the infected areas. Prior to tooth loss, the infection can be quite painful and even dangerous.

Our hygienist and dentists have solutions for these problems, but you need to be responsible for making sure you schedule regular dental and periodontal exams, regular professional dental cleanings, and comply with recommended treatment. Depending on your circumstances, our recommendations may include improvements in daily home oral hygiene, more frequent professional teeth cleanings, scaling and root planing to clean below the gum line, antimicrobial medication, and fluoride application to tooth surfaces.

What to Expect When You Come for a Dental Cleaning

Most dental cleanings take about 45 minutes and are performed by our registered dental hygienist. She will probe your gum tissue around the base of each tooth to check for and measure gum pockets. With special tools, she will remove dental plaque that has developed since your last cleaning. She will then floss and polish your teeth to make them smoother and more difficult for plaque to develop. If she finds signs and symptoms of gum disease, she will communicate with the dentist, and they will advise you about how to improve your daily brushing and flossing regimen at home—and, if needed, recommend periodontal treatment to reduce bacteria and promote healing.

Maintain Oral Health and Preserve Your Teeth

If it has been six months or more since you had a professional dental cleaning and checkup, or if you have concerns about your teeth or gums, do not delay in calling us to make an appointment. Oral health care at Orange Grove Dental is more affordable than at most dental offices—and yet, our patients receive the highest quality of care.