Dental Cleaning in Little Rock AR

Do you think you give enough importance to oral cleaning? Although brushing and flossing remove most of the microbes in the mouth, a significant number of them get left behind on the teeth in the hard to reach spots. Over time, they combine with the saliva and form a hard and sticky substance called plaque. If plaque isn’t removed for a prolonged period, it will form a dark and hard-to-remove substance called tartar, filled with microbes.

Why is tartar dangerous?

Did you know that tartar is the main cause of cavities and gum diseases? The microbes in tartar release harmful acids when they feed on the food residues left in the mouth.

These toxins can erode the enamel and decay the underlying dentin, leading to deep cavities. Further, the toxins would infect and decay the gums - starting from the gum line, leading to a receding gum line and gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.

What does oral cleaning involve?

The dentist would conduct a visual diagnosis to spot the tartar deposits on the teeth. Next, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device to remove the adhered deposits with the help of ultrasonic sound waves. The removed debris will be washed away using a jet of water, leaving the teeth free from the microbial deposits.

Tartar deposits could adhere to the tooth roots as well. This is predominant in the case of gum diseases, which result in deep gum pockets, allowing the microbes and food debris to get deposited in them. Over time, these deposits could increase the severity of gum disease, leading to more severe symptoms.

Hence, we perform root planing by inserting the scaling tip between the tooth roots and gum tissues and removing the tartar deposits. Since this procedure could be painful, we will administer local anesthesia to numb the soft tissues.

Please schedule an appointment online or call us at (501) 500-2019 to have a consultation with our dentists, and we will be happy to help.