Teeth Cleanings in Mississauga
At St. Lawrence Dentistry in Mississauga, our registered dental hygienists provide thorough, evidence-based dental hygiene care focused on reducing harmful bacteria, controlling inflammation, and supporting healthy teeth and gums.
Professional Dental Cleanings at St. Lawrence Dentistry
Our highly trained registered dental hygienists play an important role in maintaining your oral health. While brushing and flossing at home are essential, professional dental cleanings allow our hygienists to remove plaque and hardened deposits that cannot always be removed with regular brushing.
The goal of professional dental hygiene is not simply to make your teeth feel cleaner. Thorough cleaning helps reduce the accumulation of harmful bacteria and inflammation around the teeth and gums, supporting your long-term oral health.
Understanding Plaque, Tartar, and Oral Bacteria
Dental plaque is a thin film that continuously forms on the surfaces of your teeth. When plaque is not effectively removed, it can harden and become tartar, also known as dental calculus.
Unlike soft plaque, tartar is firmly attached to the tooth and generally requires professional dental instruments for removal. This is one of the reasons regular professional dental cleanings are an important part of preventive dental care.
READY TO KEEP YOUR SMILE HEALTHY?
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums starts with consistent preventive care. At St. Lawrence Dentistry, our experienced dental hygienists and dentists work together to provide thorough, personalized dental care for patients of all ages.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
Your dental cleaning will be tailored to your individual oral health needs. Depending on your examination and the condition of your teeth and gums, your hygienist may:
- Assess your oral hygiene and gum health
- Remove plaque and tartar from your teeth
- Clean around the gumline and between the teeth
- Use specialized instruments when deeper deposits are present
- Use ultrasonic technology when appropriate
- Provide personalized recommendations for maintaining your oral health at homeÂ
Your Personalized Dental Cleaning
Depending on your individual oral health needs, our dental hygienists may use techniques such as scaling and root planing to remove plaque and calculus from the surfaces of the teeth and areas around the gumline.
St. Lawrence Dentistry also uses NEWTRON® ultrasonic generators as part of our dental hygiene care. Ultrasonic instruments use high-frequency vibrations to help remove deposits from the teeth while supporting an efficient and thorough cleaning.Â
Your Oral Health Is Our Priority
Our dental hygienists combine professional expertise, detailed instrumentation, and appropriate technology to provide thorough dental cleanings tailored to each patient.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have a dental cleaning?
The appropriate frequency depends on your individual oral health. Some patients may benefit from routine cleanings at regular intervals, while others with specific gum or dental health concerns may require more frequent hygiene visits. Your dentist or dental hygienist can recommend a schedule based on your needs.
What is the difference between plaque and tartar?
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If plaque is not adequately removed, it can harden into tartar or calculus. Tartar is more firmly attached to the teeth and generally requires professional dental instruments to remove.
Can a dental cleaning remove tartar?
Yes. Dental hygienists use specialized instruments to carefully remove tartar and other hardened deposits from the teeth. Depending on the amount and location of the buildup, manual and ultrasonic instruments may be used.
Is dental cleaning important if I brush and floss every day?
Yes. Brushing and flossing at home are essential for maintaining good oral hygiene, but they may not remove all plaque and tartar, particularly from difficult-to-reach areas. Professional dental cleanings help address deposits that cannot always be removed through regular home care.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deeper dental cleaning procedure used when plaque and calculus have accumulated around and below the gumline. Scaling removes deposits, while root planing helps clean and smooth the root surfaces when clinically appropriate.
Does everyone need the same type of dental cleaning?
No. Dental hygiene treatment is based on your individual oral health. Your dentist and dental hygienist will assess your teeth and gums and recommend the appropriate level of cleaning for your needs.