Cleaning
A professional dental cleaning aims to remove plaque, calculus (tartar), and stain from your teeth.
What is plaque?
Plaque is that furry substance you can feel on your teeth if you haven’t brushed in a while! It is a biofilm containing bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth. Sugary foods and drinks feed the bacteria causing tooth decay, and plaque left on and around the teeth can cause periodontal disease in those patients who are susceptible to it. Plaque is the reason we all need to brush and floss our teeth daily!
What is calculus?
Calculus, commonly known as tartar, is the hard yellow substance you may see and feel on your teeth, particularly behind your lower front teeth. Plaque left on the teeth will become mineralised by saliva, forming calculus. Unlike plaque, calculus cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. Once formed, calculus provides a framework for further plaque and calculus to build up on, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Stain will also accumulate on teeth from food and drinks, particularly tea and coffee, and from the nicotine in cigarette smoke.
A professional clean will remove plaque, calculus and stain, reducing your risk of decay and periodontal disease, and will have your teeth looking and feeling their best!
