No matter how diligent you are about your daily oral health habits, it’s not enough to completely prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The tartar that builds up on your teeth can only be removed by your dentist, meaning that a professional cleaning is your best chance to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, the preventative care and monitoring that you get during your cleaning and exam can set a baseline so that your dentist at Stone Oak Aesthetic Dentistry can monitor any changes in your oral health.

You should visit your dentist for regular exams and teeth cleanings at least every 6 months. If you need more frequent cleanings, we will tell you during your exam. Oftentimes this is only necessary if you have periodontal disease. Your dentist at Stone Oak Aesthetic Dentistry will work closely with you to determine the frequency with which you will need a professional teeth cleaning.

Our teeth cleanings consist of three main parts: the manual removal of tartar, manual removal of plaque, and polishing.

• Removal of tartar: Tartar, or calculus, is made of the hardened deposits that form above and below the gum line. Calculus cannot be removed with regular brushing and requires special dental instruments.
• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky biofilm deposit that covers the teeth. It is composed of bacteria, saliva, and food debris.
• Teeth Polishing: Once your hygienist has removed the majority of calculus and plaque from your teeth, a handpiece and Prophylaxis (Prophy) paste is used to remove any additional stains or plaque. This process also helps to polish the teeth, giving them a shiny clean look and feel.

Plaque and tartar build up on your teeth. Although regular brushing and flossing helps mitigate this buildup, it isn’t sufficient to prevent decay and gingivitis. That said, not getting your teeth cleaned can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, which can ultimately put your health at risk and put you at risk of needing costly restorative procedures.

A teeth cleaning takes roughly 30-60 minutes, but it really depends on the state of your teeth and the type of cleaning you’re getting. You can always ask our office staff how long you should expect to spend in the office when you schedule your appointment.

Most people should visit their San Antonio dentist at least twice per year. If, however, you have periodontal disease, you will need to visit our office more frequently. In the instance that you need more frequent cleanings, we will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that works for you and helps reach and exceed your goals.

Teeth cleanings aren’t the only part of your regular dental visits that you need to be concerned with. The other preventative oral health treatments that we provide during your regular exam and cleaning are:

• Sealants
• Patient education
• Fluoride treatments
• Oral cancer screenings