Even if you brush and floss your teeth faithfully, it is important that you have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis. (Of course, if you aren’t quite so meticulous about your oral hygiene, it’s even more important!) After a thorough cleaning, your teeth will feel smooth and squeaky-clean, and they will probably look a lot brighter too. But professional teeth cleanings aren’t done for looks alone.

Why do your teeth need this kind of attention? Essentially, it’s because over time they tend to build up a layer of plaque (a sticky, bacteria-rich film) and hard deposits (called tartar, or calculus) that are very difficult to remove without special tools. When these deposits are allowed to remain on the tooth surfaces or below the gum line, they provide ideal conditions for bacteria to grow and multiply. The acids produced by some bacteria cause tooth decay and gum disease; if left uncontrolled, this can lead to inflammation and infection of the gums, and possibly influence systemic (whole body) diseases.

Dentists have a special term for preventive procedures like tooth cleaning: prophylaxis, from the Greek word meaning to protect or guard against. In this case, the focus is on preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Performed in conjunction with a routine dental examination, a professional cleaning can go a long way toward controlling these two common maladies. While your teeth are being cleaned, it’s also a good opportunity to take a close look at your oral health in general and check for a few specific problems.

Maintaining optimal dental hygiene goes beyond just brushing and flossing. Regular professional teeth cleaning is essential to your overall oral health, especially for residents in Raleigh looking to maintain bright, healthy smiles. Even with diligent home care, plaque—a sticky film packed with bacteria—and tartar, which forms as plaque hardens, can accumulate on your teeth and beneath the gum line. Unfortunately, these deposits can only be effectively removed with specialized tools during a professional cleaning.

At our dental practice, led by the compassionate Dr. Ajamu Giscombe, we prioritize preventive dental care to ensure your teeth stay healthy and free from decay or gum disease. During your visit for teeth cleaning in Raleigh, we don’t just focus on aesthetics; we commit to safeguarding your oral health. Professional cleanings are an opportunity to take stock of your dental hygiene and catch potential issues early, leading to less invasive treatments down the line.

Why Choose Professional Teeth Cleaning?

1. Plaque Control: The primary purpose of professional teeth cleaning is to remove plaque and tartar. When these materials sit on your teeth, they create an environment conducive to bacterial growth. By regularly visiting us for a thorough cleaning, you’re actively preventing tooth decay and gingivitis.
2. Preventing Gum Disease: Gum disease affects many individuals, often without noticeable symptoms until serious problems arise. Our dental hygiene services include a detailed examination of your gums during each cleaning session. We can identify early signs of gum disease and provide the preventive care necessary to keep your gums healthy.
3. A Brighter Smile: While professional teeth cleaning is essential for health, it does have the added bonus of enhancing the appearance of your teeth. After a thorough cleaning, you’ll notice a brighter smile—an added benefit that boosts your confidence! Many of our patients often pair their cleanings with teeth whitening services for even more radiant results.
4. Routine Oral Health Examination: Each professional cleaning session is accompanied by a comprehensive oral health examination. Dr. Ajamu Giscombe and our dedicated team will perform checks to identify issues such as cavities and signs of oral health problems, ensuring early intervention and treatment.
5. Convenient Location: Our dental practice is located conveniently in Raleigh, at Suite 303 of the UNC Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center on Sunset Two. We are dedicated to providing accessible and affordable dental care for families and individuals in the community.
6. Special Offers for New Patients: We understand that affordability is a crucial factor in dental care. That’s why we offer dental care specials to new patients, making it easier for you to start your journey to better oral health with Dr. Ajamu Giscombe.

Your Professional Teeth Cleaning Experience

During your appointment for teeth cleaning in Raleigh, you will first meet with our friendly staff and Dr. Giscombe, who will guide you through the process. Here’s what to expect:

• Initial Assessment: The visit begins with an assessment of your oral health, including discussions about your dental hygiene practices and any concerns you may have.
• Cleaning Process: Our dental hygienist will use specialized instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. This process is vital for good dental hygiene and overall health.
• Gum Health Check: We will also check the health of your gums, providing insights on how to maintain healthy gums that prevent periodontal issues.
• Polishing and Fluoride Treatment: After cleaning, we’ll polish your teeth, leaving them smooth, shiny, and bright. A fluoride treatment may also be administered to help strengthen your enamel.
• Follow-Up Recommendations: Based on the exam and cleaning results, you will receive personalized recommendations for at-home care and follow-up visits. This collaborative approach to dental hygiene empowers you to take an active role in your oral health journey.

Why Preventive Dental Care Matters

Regular professional teeth cleaning is just one aspect of a comprehensive preventive dental care plan. Many patients in Raleigh might not realize that neglecting their dental hygiene can lead to serious implications for their overall health. Systemic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, have been linked to oral health issues, creating a ripple effect that affects well-being beyond the mouth.

Dr. Ajamu Giscombe emphasizes that preventive dental care—like professional cleaning and routine oral health examinations—can significantly minimize the risk of more extensive dental procedures down the line, such as the need for dental crowns and bridges. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can save you the time, expense, and inconvenience of more serious interventions later.

Ready for Your Next Teeth Cleaning?

Whether you are due for your routine dental hygiene visit or are interested in our cosmetic dental services in Raleigh, including teeth whitening and more, we invite you to make an appointment at our dental practice. Dr. Ajamu Giscombe and his team are here to offer exceptional care in a friendly environment, ensuring your visits are as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Don’t put off your oral health any longer—reach out to us today and take the first step towards maintaining a stunning, healthy smile. Remember, professional teeth cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a vital part of your preventive dental care strategy. Let’s work together to enhance your dental hygiene and overall health!

Crowning or Capping a Tooth

Dental Crowns – Step by Step.Crowning or capping a tooth will usually take two to three visits. At the first visit, your tooth is prepared to receive its new crown. First, it is shaped to fit inside the new covering. This will involve some drilling to give the tooth a uniform shape. The tooth and the surrounding area will be numbed beforehand. If there is very little tooth structure left to begin with, the tooth may have to be built up with filling material, rather than filed down, to support the crown.

After the tooth is prepared, impressions of your teeth are taken, either digitally or with reliable, putty-like impression materials, and sent to the dental laboratory. There, the impressions will be used to make models of your teeth for the creation of a crown. The models will serve as guides to the highly skilled lab technicians, who will ensure that your new crown is designed to enhance your smile and function well within your bite.

Before you leave the office, a temporary crown will be attached to your tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, your permanent crown will be attached to your tooth with either a resin that hardens when exposed to a special light source, or a type of permanent cement.

The Professional Cleaning Procedure

Teeth cleaning is often performed by a dental hygienist — a highly trained technician who uses a special set of tools designed just for this purpose. Because everyone’s teeth are a little different, your cleaning will be tailored to your particular needs. However, many cleanings follow a similar pattern.

First, the dental hygienist will do an oral examination to evaluate the health of your oral tissues. Then the cleaning will take place using either an ultrasonic scaler or metal instruments referred to as curettes to remove the plaque and calculus from the tooth surfaces. The ultrasonic scaler is a hand-held tool with a tiny tip that vibrates at a very high frequency. Hardened deposits are broken up by the rapid movement of the tip, which does not damage the tooth. A constant stream of liquid (called lavage) serves to cool the tip and aid in plaque removal; at the same time, it also washes away the debris.

Some hygienists prefer curettes, which are hand-held instruments that are curved and tapered to fit around and in between the teeth. If your teeth are sensitive, using hand-held instruments may be more comfortable for a professional cleaning. In the capable hands of a hygienist or dentist, it takes only moderate pressure to remove any stubborn buildup and scrub the teeth clean, regardless of which instruments are used.

Finally, your teeth are polished with a low-speed rotary brush fitted with a soft rubber tip. A slightly gritty, toothpaste-like gel is applied, and the tip spins around and polishes the teeth, making them smooth and shiny.

A Requirement for Good Oral Health

Most people don’t feel any noticeable discomfort during dental cleanings; some even report they enjoy the experience — especially the dramatic results when it’s done! If you haven’t had a cleaning in a while, however, it may take you a few moments to get used to getting your teeth cleaned. If you experience any discomfort, however, it may be possible to apply a topical numbing gel or another type of anesthetic.

If your gums are irritated due to bacterial buildup, they may become sore or bleed slightly during the cleaning. It may be possible to prevent this from occuring in the future with oral hygiene measures you can perform at home (such as improved flossing techniques or special mouthrinses); it might also indicate that you need more frequent in-office cleanings. This type of regular maintenance will help you avoid more involved dental procedures down the road — and it will give you the best chance of keeping your teeth for life!