Regular dental cleanings by Dr. Kruse or a dental hygienist are part of a proper oral hygiene program. Cleanings help fight plaque, the major cause of tooth decay, gingivitis and serious gum disease.
Dental Cleanings
The fight against plaque is a major component of preventative care, and Clay Center Family Dental Care can be your main ally in this effort. While daily brushing and flossing are your first line of defense against plaque, the professional cleaning from Dr. Kruse or a dental hygienist is more thorough than the best you can do at home. Even proper brushing alone can’t remove the tartar that accumulates at the gumline. Good hygiene and regular dental cleanings are cost-effective, too. It costs much more to have teeth repaired and replaced than it does to have regular exams and cleanings.
Usually an exam and cleaning are scheduled during the same appointment. Your dental hygienist is an expert at giving teeth this thorough regular cleaning known as a prophylaxis or “prophy”. Stubborn plaque and tartar will be removed with specially designed dental tools. Tartar is the plaque which has hardened at and even below the gumline. Your hygienist can clean tartar below the gumline as well in an intensive cleaning called scaling. Often the last step in the cleaning is polishing.
Many adults require cleanings every six months. If your mouth is prone to tooth decay, tartar buildup or gum disease, we will recommend more frequent appointments.