Teeth Cleaning in Metairie

Professional Teeth Cleaning

In addition to practicing good oral hygiene at home, you should be seen for a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year. Regular professional care is important for stopping the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease because a toothbrush alone cannot remove tartar (tartar can only be removed by a dental hygienist using special tools).

Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleaning

• • Brighter Smile:
    • Professional cleanings remove extrinsic stain from coffee, tea, smoking, and tartar.
  • Prevents Cavities:
    • Dental caries can be prevented through plaque removal, oral hygiene instruction, supplemental fluoride if necessary, and a thorough exam.
  • Healthy Gums:
    • Professional dental cleanings thoroughly remove plaque, tartar, debris and bacteria that cause gum disease.
  • Fresh Breath:
    • Oral malodor is often the result of poor oral hygiene, gum disease, dry mouth, and other underlying medical issues. Regular dental visits help eliminate gum issues and your dental health providers can help point you towards proper treatment and solutions for bad breath.
  • Boosts Overall Health
  • Many studies show that oral health is closely connected to our overall systemic health. Maintaining good oral hygiene has an overall positive effect on our other body systems.

Taking Care of Your Teeth

The most important thing you can do to protect your teeth and gums is to practice good hygiene habits at home. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily for optimal oral health. There are other tools, discussed below, that may also enhance your oral health.

Fluoride for Health

Fluoride is a natural mineral and is critically important to our health. Consuming acidic beverages and foods compromises the enamel of the teeth, allowing harmful bacteria to proliferate. Fluoride protects against this process by reinforcing the enamel structure of our teeth. In early stages of the breakdown of tooth structure, fluoride can remineralize enamel and prevent further decay progression. This is why it’s important to use toothpaste with fluoride added to it.

It’s important to note that there are two different types of fluoride: systemic and topical. Systemic fluoride is in many water systems or supplements and is important for tooth development in children. Topical fluoride is what is used in toothpaste, mouth rinses, and professional fluoride treatments and is not intended to be ingested, but used topically for already erupted teeth. You will typically find topical fluoride listed as the active ingredient in dental products and most commonly include sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride. When these topical fluorides are absorbed into our tooth structure, they create an even stronger substance than our natural tooth structure alone.

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing is just as important as brushing, as it removes plaque from between the teeth and just below the gum line while also stimulating the gums to help increase blood flow and increase periodontal health. The best way to floss is by using an 18” piece of waxed floss lightly wrapped around each middle finger and worked between teeth, carefully sweeping in between teeth and massaging the gums. If you are having difficulty flossing, it is important to discuss with your dental hygienist to learn how to floss best and talk about other flossing options such as a floss handle or water flosser.

About Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity is a very common dental complaint. Depending on the cause of your sensitivity, most patients can find relief by simply switching toothpaste. Some causes of tooth sensitivity can include

• The recession of gums and root exposure
• Use of teeth whitening products
• Orthodontics
• Clenching and grinding teeth
• Sinus and allergy issues
• Excess wear on enamel
• Cavities
• Cracked, chipped, fractured, or broken teeth

If you have persistent or progressive tooth sensitivity that doesn’t get better after a few days, please call us – we can recommend treatment or medicated toothpaste to help ease discomfort.

Oral Hygiene: Tools for Home

There are many dental products available “over the counter.” Here are a few that we recommend:

• Electronic toothbrushes: These are very effective at removing plaque and debris from the teeth. They are safe for most people
• Oral irrigators: This is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. With proper use, water can irrigate and clean hard to reach areas tooth brushing and flossing are not able to reach.
• Rubber tips: The rubber tip can be used to very gently massage the gums by gently following the gum line.
• Mouthwash: This can be used to freshen the mouth and as an additional source of fluoride. It should not be used by children under 6 years old. When used properly and paired with good brushing and flossing, mouth rinses help decrease the bacterial load in the oral cavity helping to manage and prevent gingivitis.