Proper Dental Hygiene is the cornerstone of successful dentistry and long-term retention of natural teeth.
The naturally occurring bacteria of the mouth form a "film" on the surface of the teeth every 6-8 hours. Every 24 hours these bacteria organize into colonies and begin producing acids and toxins.
The toxins invade the gum tissue resulting in a low grade infection called "gingivitis". This is a precursor of periodontal disease or Pyorrhea which is responsible for 90% of adult tooth loss.
In addition, other bacteria invade the teeth themselves. This process is called dental decay or dental carries.
As people age, and if they have not followed up with regular cleanings or dental prophylaxis, the film calcifies forming a hard, crusty substance called tartar.
The tartar or calculus is 90% bacteria. The surface of the tartar is active bacteria and removing this layer can only be done with a professional dental cleaning.
Our hygienists use "state of the art" techniques to remove tartar in the most efficient and comfortable way possible.