Dental Cleanings

Forefront Dentistry, Tulsa OK

Along with diligent home care, regular dental cleanings and six-month checkups are the foundation of good oral health. For most patients, even those who brush and floss regularly, calcified plaque (or “tartar”) will accumulate in the difficult to reach areas of the mouth. Such hard deposits can form quickly and may begin to accumulate as soon as a few weeks or months following one’s last dental cleaning. These tartar deposits are covered in live plaque bacteria, and if this build-up is not removed regularly, it can contribute to gum inflammation and bleeding (gingivitis) and deep gum pockets and bone loss around teeth (periodontitis). In addition, untreated gum disease can have negative effects on one’s overall health. It is for this reason that all patients, even those with relatively healthy teeth, should be seen for a cleaning and checkup at least every six months. Check-ups with the doctor are also very important because early detection of dental problems is a key part of managing them properly. Finally, annual dental x-rays are also a key part of maintaining good oral health. Many dental issues are not visually detectable until they reach a very advanced state. Dental x-rays allow us to see such problems earlier in their progression when they are much smaller and easier to manage. Countless patients are helped each year through early detection of oral health problems from annual dental x-rays.