Q: I take good care of my teeth. Why should I go for professional cleaning?
A: No matter how well you take care of your teeth, even with faithful brushing and flossing, you should have them cleaned by a professional at least twice a year. At home you simply cannot reach all tooth surfaces thoroughly. A professional-either your dentist or dental hygienist-has the equipment and training to get into spaces you can't reach to remove plaque and the hard compounds it eventually forms, especially at the gum line.
Among the equipment are scalers, small implements the dentist or hygienist will use to scrape calculus and tartar off teeth, or an ultrasonic machine, which vibrates plaque deposits loose. The particles are then flushed away with a stream of water. Professional cleaning is a good way to head off periodontal, or gum, disease. Sometimes your dentist may apply a topical anesthetic to the gums or inject a local anesthetic if the process proves painful. After your teeth are cleaned, they can be polished. The smooth surface is less hospitable to plaque. Talk with your dentist about the benefits of-and a schedule for-regular cleaning.
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