Cleanings
Perio
Your routine cleanings are a vital way to ensure you’re not at risk of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the teeth, gums, and the bone that surrounds the teeth. Most people who have periodontal disease aren’t even aware of it. It’s rarely painful, especially in the early stages.
The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque. Plaque is the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. It’s hard to see plaque, but look at how it shows up after it’s been stained with red dye.
You must completely remove plaque each day, or it builds up and mineralizes to become tartar, also called calculus. It takes a professional to remove tartar; there’s no way for you to remove it at home. A toothbrush or floss won’t budge it. If tartar isn’t removed, it migrates to the root surfaces.
