Prevention and Minimally Invasive Treatment

Dental Cleanings in Urbandale, IA

What is teeth cleaning, and what does it do?

Getting your teeth cleaned at least every six months is vital to the health and longevity of your teeth. Your dental hygienist will take measurements around your gums and teeth to determine if inflammation and/or bone loss are present. Once we determine health, we move on to the cleaning. A cleaning consists of removing plaque, tarter, and stains from your teeth and gums. To end the cleaning, we polish with a special paste that removes surface stains and plaque for that “fresh from the dentist” feel.

What is periodontal disease, how does it differ from a cleaning, and why do I need to treat it?

Periodontal disease is caused by certain types of bacteria that live below the gum and start to destroy the bone that holds the teeth in place. This is detrimental to the longevity and health of your teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause loosening of the teeth, and eventually complete loss of teeth. Some characteristics of periodontal disease include; red and inflamed gums that bleed easily while brushing, chewing, or eating, loose teeth, halitosis (bad breath), and tartar build up. Early diagnosis is key in treating periodontal disease; however, advanced stages can still be treated depending on the case. It is imperative to treat periodontal disease as soon as possible, as it is an infection in your jaw bone that affects your whole body. Untreated periodontal disease has been linked to many different health conditions including; diabetes, heart problems, and Alzheimer’s.

Minimally Invasive Dentistry

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SDF/Silver Nitrate

Cedar Ridge Dentistry offers Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) and Silver Nitrate as alternative treatments for arresting and prevention of caries. A cavity happens when bacteria in the mouth cause infection and decay at the tooth structure. The traditional method for treating dental caries is drilling the tooth to remove caries (add hyperlink to restoration info). With SDF and Silver Nitrate, there is no needle, no numbness, no drilling! The secret is in the silver. Silver has antibacterial properties that stops the decay in its tracks. This is a great option for treating smaller cavities, and for children and people with dental phobias.

Call Cedar Ridge Dentistry to schedule a dental cleaning in Urbandale, IA.