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June 2026

What to Expect During Your First Visit to a New Dental Office

Choosing a new dental home is a major step toward protecting your overall health and well-being. Whether you have recently relocated to Coffee County, transitioned to a new insurance plan, or simply decided it’s time to get your oral health back on track, stepping into an unfamiliar clinic can sometimes bring up a few questions. It is completely natural to wonder about the team, the technology, and the actual process you will experience.
If you are currently searching for a trustworthy dentist near you, understanding exactly what happens during an initial appointment can instantly wash away any lingering anxiety. When you visit our dental office at Glick & Woods Dentistry, our primary goal is to ensure you feel like a welcome guest rather than just another name on a schedule.
To help you prepare, this detailed guide outlines everything you can expect during your first visit to a new dental office, from the front desk reception to your personalized consultation.

1. Streamlined Pre-Appointment Preparation and Check-In

Your first visit actually begins before you even step through the front door. A premier dentist in Tullahoma will always prioritize a smooth administrative process so that your valuable time is respected.

What to Bring With You

To keep your check-in seamless, ensure you have the following items ready:
  • A Valid Photo ID: A driver’s license or state identification card.
  • Dental Insurance Information: Your current physical insurance card or digital policy details.
  • Medical History Details: A comprehensive list of any prescription medications, supplements, vitamins, and pre-existing medical conditions (such as heart conditions or joint replacements, which sometimes require pre-appointment antibiotics).

Arriving at the Office

When you arrive at Glick & Woods Dentistry, located right in the heart of Tullahoma, you will be greeted warmly by our front office team. If you haven’t already filled out your patient intake forms online, you will be handed a clipboard to complete them. These documents cover your basic contact details, medical history, and any specific smile goals or dental anxieties you might have.

2. A Comprehensive Review of Your Health History

Once your paperwork is processed, a friendly dental hygienist will guide you back to a clinical room. Before anyone looks at your teeth, the clinical team will sit down with you to review your medical history.
Your oral health is deeply connected to your systemic health. Conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pregnancy can directly impact your gums and teeth. Likewise, regular prescription medications can cause side effects like dry mouth, which significantly increases the risk of cavities. This initial conversation gives you the perfect opportunity to share any specific concerns, history of dental anxiety, or updates about your physical health.

3. High-Tech Digital X-Rays and Diagnostics

A visual exam can only reveal so much. To give you the highest standard of safe, accurate care, your first visit will almost always include a modern set of digital X-rays.

Why X-Rays Matter

Digital radiographs allow the clinical team to see exactly what is happening beneath the surface of your enamel and below the gumline. These diagnostic images reveal:
  • Incipient decay is developing hidden between the teeth.
  • The health and density of your jawbone structure.
  • The positioning of tooth roots and any unerupted teeth (like wisdom teeth).
  • Signs of deep-seated infections, cysts, or abscesses.
At Glick & Woods Dentistry, we utilize state-of-the-art digital imaging, which exposes patients to significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays and populates instantly on our monitors for immediate review.

4. The Professional Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)

For most patients visiting for a routine check-up, a professional dental cleaning is the next core step. A skilled dental hygienist will meticulously clean your teeth using specialized, gentle instruments.
  • Scaling: The hygienist will carefully remove plaque (a soft, sticky film of bacteria) and tartar (hardened plaque calculus) from your teeth and along the gumline. Tartar cannot be removed by regular brushing or flossing at home; it requires professional intervention.
  • Flossing and Polishing: Next, your teeth will be expertly flossed to clear any remaining debris. The hygienist will then use a high-powered spinning brush and a gritty paste to polish away surface stains, leaving your smile feeling incredibly smooth and refreshed.
  • Periodontal Charting: The hygienist will also gently measure the small spaces, or “pockets,” between your gums and teeth using a small probe. Healthy pockets typically measure between 1 and 3 millimeters. Higher numbers can indicate early stages of gum disease, which allows the team to intercept the issue early.
Note: If a patient hasn’t been to the dentist in many years and shows signs of advanced periodontal disease, a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) may be scheduled for a follow-up visit instead of a standard polishing.

5. The Comprehensive Dental Examination

After your cleaning, your dentist will perform a thorough clinical examination. If you are seeing Dr. Kim Glick or Dr. Larry Woods, this is where our decades of combined local experience shine. Your dentist will carefully evaluate:
  • Each individual tooth for signs of active decay, fracturing, or structural wear.
  • The integrity of any existing dental work, such as older silver fillings, crowns, or bridges.
  • Your bite alignment (occlusion) and the health of your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
  • An oral cancer screening involves gently checking your tongue, throat, palate, and cheeks for any abnormal tissue or lesions.

6. Collaborative Treatment Planning and Education

The final portion of your initial visit is centered entirely on communication. Your dentist will sit with you, pull up your digital X-rays on the screen, and explain their findings transparently.
If your smile is completely healthy, you will simply be cleared for your next routine six-month check-up. However, if a restorative issue like a cavity or a broken tooth is detected, your dentist will lay out your available treatment options.
At a patient-centered practice, you are an active partner in your oral healthcare journey. You will receive an upfront, itemized breakdown of any proposed treatments, complete with timelines, insurance breakdowns, and no financial surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does a first dental visit usually take?
A first-time appointment typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes. This extended window ensures our team has plenty of time to capture accurate digital diagnostics, perform an exhaustive cleaning, complete a top-tier exam, and discuss your health history without ever making you feel rushed.

2. Will my first visit hurt?
Routine cleanings and examinations are designed to be completely non-invasive and comfortable. If you have sensitive teeth or inflamed gums, simply let your hygienist know beforehand. We can easily adjust our techniques or apply localized numbing gels to guarantee a gentle, stress-free experience.

3. How often should I visit the dentist after my first appointment?
The American Dental Association recommends that most children and adults schedule a professional cleaning and exam every six months. Patients managing active conditions like periodontal disease may be advised to visit more frequently, such as every three to four months, to maintain their oral health.

4. What should I do if I have severe dental anxiety?
First, know that you are not alone. Millions of Americans experience dental nervousness. Always communicate your feelings openly with your provider. At our practice, we specialize in compassionate, gentle care, offering a cozy environment where you control the pace of the appointment.

Experience the Glick & Woods Dentistry Difference

You deserve a dental team that pairs advanced, state-of-the-art dental technology with the warm hospitality of a lifelong neighbor. Since 1985, Glick & Woods Dentistry has proudly served families throughout Coffee, Bedford, Franklin, and Lincoln counties with an unwavering commitment to trust, clinical excellence, and continuity of care.
Are you ready to enjoy a higher standard of dental care in a comfortable, homey environment? Don’t wait until a minor toothache turns into a major emergency. Contact our friendly Tullahoma team today to book an appointment and take the first step toward a radiant, healthy smile for life!

What to Expect During Your First Visit to a New Dental Office Read More »

Can I Use Herbal Tea Bags for Wisdom Tooth Healing?

Having your wisdom teeth removed is practically a rite of passage. While the procedure itself is very routine, the recovery period that follows requires careful attention. As you rest on the couch, waiting for your extractions to heal, it is completely natural to look for safe, soothing ways to ease your discomfort and speed your recovery.
If you are a tea lover, you might wonder if brewing a warm cup could offer some relief. More specifically, you might ask: Can I use herbal tea bags for wisdom tooth healing?
The short answer is yes, but with a few major caveats regarding temperature, timing, and the specific type of herbs you choose. Certain herbal tea bags have natural properties that can help reduce swelling and soothe irritated oral tissues. However, using them incorrectly can actually disrupt your healing process.
Let’s dive into how herbal tea bags interact with wisdom tooth extraction sites, which varieties are safe to use, and how to use them without risking a painful complication like a dry socket.

The Science of Healing After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

To understand how herbal remedies can help, it helps to understand what is happening inside your mouth after surgery. When an experienced dentist removes a wisdom tooth, an empty socket is left behind in the bone. Your body immediately begins the healing process by forming a blood clot in that space.
This blood clot is absolutely vital. It protects the exposed bone and delicate nerve endings underneath, serving as the foundation over which new bone and gum tissue will grow. If that clot is dislodged or dissolves prematurely, it leads to a highly painful condition called dry socket.
Therefore, any home remedy you try during the first week of recovery must protect that fragile blood clot. While some herbal remedies can support cellular repair and soothe localized inflammation, they should only be introduced at the right time and temperature.

Black Tea vs. Herbal Tea: What’s the Difference for Oral Healing?

 

If you have ever researched wisdom tooth recovery tips, you have likely heard about using regular black tea bags to stop bleeding. Black tea contains a high concentration of tannins, which are natural polyphenols that act as a mild astringent. When a damp black tea bag is pressed against a bleeding socket, the tannins cause the local blood vessels to constrict, which helps clot the blood and control oozing.
Herbal teas, on the other hand, are not actually made from the traditional tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Instead, they are infusions made from dried fruits, flowers, spices, or herbs. Because they lack the high tannin content of black tea, they aren’t the best choice for stopping active bleeding right after surgery.
However, once the initial bleeding has stopped and a stable blood clot has formed, certain herbal teas offer excellent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing benefits that can make your recovery much more comfortable.

Best Herbal Teas for Wisdom Tooth Recovery

 

Not all herbal teas are created equal when it comes to oral health. If you want to use herbal tea bags to support your healing process, look for these specific varieties:

1. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is famous for its calming properties, but it is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Placing a cooled chamomile tea bag near the extraction site can help soothe irritated gums, reduce localized swelling, and ease the dull ache of healing tissues. As a bonus, drinking a warm (not hot) cup of chamomile tea can help relax your body and promote better sleep, which is essential for systemic healing.

2. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint contains menthol, a natural compound known for its cooling, numbing effects. If your jaw feels tight and sore a few days after your procedure, a cooled peppermint tea bag can act as a gentle, localized numbing agent. Peppermint also possesses mild antibacterial properties, helping to keep the environment inside your mouth clean while your immune system works to repair the surgical site.

3. Green Tea

While technically not a traditional herbal blend, green tea is packed with powerful antioxidants called catechins. These compounds help combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and inhibit the growth of oral bacteria. Using a cooled green tea bag can support overall tissue regeneration while protecting the open socket from unwanted bacterial buildup.

Step-by-Step: How to Safely Use Tea Bags for Healing

 

If you want to use herbal tea bags to comfort your healing gums, you must follow a safe protocol to avoid irritating the area or dislodging the protective blood clot.
  • Step 1: Steep the tea bag. Place your chosen herbal tea bag in boiling water for about 3 to 5 minutes to release the beneficial compounds and sanitize the bag.
  • Step 2: Let it cool completely. Never place a hot tea bag into your mouth after oral surgery. High heat can increase blood flow to the area, potentially triggering fresh bleeding or dissolving the blood clot. Allow the tea bag to cool to room temperature, or refrigerate it for a few minutes until it is comfortably cool.
  • Step 3: Dampen and apply gently. Ensure the tea bag is damp but not dripping wet. Gently place it over or directly next to the extraction area.
  • Step 4: Hold with gentle pressure. Softly bite down on the bag or hold it in place with your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not chew on the bag or shift it around aggressively.
  • Step 5: Discard and rest. Gently remove the tea bag and throw it away. Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously afterward.

Crucial Safety Rules for Wisdom Tooth Recovery

While natural remedies can enhance your comfort, keeping your recovery safe requires avoiding a few major pitfalls:

Never Use a Straw

If you decide to drink your herbal tea rather than applying the bag directly, always sip it straight from a cup or use a spoon. Do not use a straw. The suction created by drinking through a straw creates negative pressure in your mouth that can easily pull the blood clot right out of its socket, causing a painful dry socket.

Avoid Intense Heat

For the first 3 to 4 days after your extraction, stick to room temperature or chilled liquids. Hot tea, hot soup, and steaming coffee dilate blood vessels, which can increase throbbing pain and cause the surgical site to bleed again.

Avoid Aggressive Spitting or Rinsing

If you feel the need to clear your mouth after using a tea bag, do not spit forcefully. Forceful spitting creates the same dangerous suction as a straw. Instead, let any excess fluid gently droop out of your mouth over a sink, and wipe your lips with a clean tissue.

When to Contact Your Dentist

Using a cooled herbal tea bag is a wonderful, natural way to supplement your post-operative care, but it should never replace the direct medical advice and guidelines provided by your surgical team.
If you live in Coffee County or the surrounding areas and experience any of the following symptoms during your recovery, it is time to skip the home remedies and call your dentist right away:
  • Severe, throbbing pain that isn’t relieved by your prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications.
  • Active, bright red bleeding that doesn’t slow down even after biting firmly on a fresh piece of gauze or a damp black tea bag.
  • Swelling around your jaw or face that continues to worsen after the third day.
  • A foul taste or persistent bad odor coming from the extraction site.
  • A fever above 101°F.

Dental Extraction FAQ

1. Can I drink herbal tea immediately after my wisdom tooth surgery?

It is best to wait a few hours until the local anesthesia completely wears off so you do not accidentally bite your tongue or cheek. When you do choose to drink tea, ensure it has cooled down completely to room temperature or is iced, and remember to drink it directly from a cup without a straw.

2. How long should I keep a tea bag on my extraction site?

You can safely keep a damp, fully cooled tea bag on or near the extraction site for 15 to 20 minutes. This provides ample time for the natural anti-inflammatory or numbing properties of the herbs to interact with your gum tissue.

3. Can I use sweet tea or add honey to my tea?

It is highly recommended to avoid adding sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners to your tea during the initial stages of recovery. Sugar can feed oral bacteria, increasing the risk of inflammation or minor infections near the open wound. Stick to plain, unsweetened herbal infusions.

4. How do I know if I have developed a dry socket?

A dry socket typically manifests 3 to 5 days after surgery as a sudden, severe, throbbing pain that radiates up toward your ear or eye. If you look closely into your mouth with a flashlight, you may see empty white bone instead of a dark blood clot. If you suspect you have a dry socket, reach out to an experienced team right away to get the area treated and dressed.

Complete Comfort with Glick & Woods Dentistry

If you are currently preparing for an upcoming extraction or find yourself looking up recovery tips from home, having a trustworthy dental team by your side makes all the difference.
If you are looking for an experienced dentist near you, the dedicated professionals at Glick & Woods Dentistry are here to provide compassionate, expert care through every step of your dental journey. Conveniently located on North Washington Street, our team proudly serves patients seeking a reliable dentist in Tullahoma and our neighboring communities of Manchester, Shelbyville, and Winchester.
We treat every patient like a member of our own family, ensuring your treatments are smooth, comfortable, and tailored specifically to your unique needs. If it is time for your next routine cleaning, a surgical consultation, or an evaluation of your wisdom teeth, we invite you to visit our dental office.
Don’t wait until a small toothache turns into a major emergency. Take control of your oral health today and book an appointment with Glick & Woods Dentistry. Give our friendly office a call at 931-455-3917 or fill out our convenient online appointment request form to schedule your visit!

Can I Use Herbal Tea Bags for Wisdom Tooth Healing? Read More »

How Your Oral Health Impacts Your Heart: The Hidden Danger of Gum Disease

When you think about keeping your heart healthy, what comes to mind? You probably think about hit-the-pavement cardio workouts, cutting back on saturated fats, managing your stress levels, or keeping a close eye on your blood pressure. But what if the secret to a healthier heart started somewhere completely unexpected, like your smile?
It might sound surprising, but your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body. In recent years, a mountain of medical and dental research has uncovered a profound, undeniable connection between your oral health and your cardiovascular system. Specifically, chronic gum disease (periodontitis) has emerged as a hidden danger that can significantly increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular issues.

Taking care of your teeth and gums isn’t just about avoiding cavities or keeping your breath fresh; it is a vital component of whole-body wellness. Let’s dive deep into the science behind the oral-systemic connection, how gum disease threatens your heart, and why prioritizing a routine visit to your dentist could quite literally save your life.

The Mouth-Body Connection: An Overview

For decades, medicine and dentistry were treated as entirely separate fields. You saw a medical doctor for your body and a dentist near you for your teeth. Today, we know that the human body doesn’t work in isolated compartments. What happens in your mouth doesn’t stay in your mouth.
The oral cavity is teeming with bacteria. Most of these microbes are completely harmless, and many are even beneficial to your digestive process. However, when oral hygiene slacks, harmful bacteria begin to multiply, forming a sticky film on your teeth known as plaque. If plaque isn’t thoroughly removed through daily brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar (calculus).

Over time, this accumulation of tartar triggers an immune response, leading to inflammation of the gums. This is the starting point of periodontal disease, and it marks the beginning of a biological pathway that links your smile directly to your cardiovascular system.

Understanding Gum Disease: From Gingivitis to Periodontitis

To understand how oral health affects the heart, it helps to understand how gum disease progresses. It generally moves through two primary stages:

1. Gingivitis

This is the earliest, mildest form of gum disease. It occurs when plaque and tartar irritate the gumline. Symptoms include redness, slight swelling, and gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss. Gingivitis is fully reversible with professional dental cleanings and improved home care. However, because it rarely causes pain, many people ignore the signs.

2. Periodontitis

When left untreated, gingivitis escalates into periodontitis. At this stage, the inner layer of the gum and bone pulls away from the teeth, forming deep pockets. These pockets become heavily infected with aggressive, anaerobic bacteria. As your body’s immune system fights the infection, the toxins produced by the bacteria, along with your body’s own inflammatory responses, begin to break down the bone and connective tissue holding your teeth in place. If left unchecked, it leads to tooth loss and permanent structural damage.

The Biological Highway: How Gum Disease Affects Your Heart

How exactly does a bacterial infection in your gums travel all the way to your heart? Cardiologists and periodontists point to two primary mechanisms: bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation.

1. The Spread of Harmful Bacteria

When you have advanced gum disease, your gum tissue becomes highly vascular, fragile, and essentially turns into an open wound. Simple everyday activities like chewing, brushing, or flossing can allow harmful oral bacteria (such as Porphyromonas gingivalis) to breach damaged gum barriers and enter your bloodstream.
Once inside the bloodstream, these bacteria travel throughout the body. Research has shown that these specific oral pathogens can attach themselves to fatty deposits (plaques) inside the coronary arteries. The presence of bacteria in blood vessels can trigger localized blood clots and accelerate arterial narrowing, a condition known as atherosclerosis. If an arterial plaque ruptures or a clot blocks blood flow, it can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

2. The Fire of Systemic Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s natural defense mechanism against injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation is incredibly destructive.
When your gums are constantly fighting a severe bacterial infection, your immune system releases inflammatory chemical markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukins, into the bloodstream. High levels of CRP are a well-known, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. As these inflammatory proteins circulate through your vascular system, they cause irritation and inflammation in the linings of your blood vessels. This chronic state of vascular inflammation damages arterial walls, making it much easier for cholesterol and fats to accumulate, further increasing the risk of heart disease.

What the Research Tells Us

The link between oral health and cardiovascular health isn’t just a theory; it is backed by extensive scientific literature.
  • The American Heart Association (AHA): The AHA has acknowledged that periodontal disease is independently associated with arteriosclerosis, even when accounting for other risk factors like smoking, age, and socioeconomic status.
  • Increased Risk Factors: Studies have consistently shown that individuals with chronic gum disease are up to two to three times more likely to experience a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, compared to those with healthy gums.
  • Stroke Connection: Research indicates a strong correlation between oral infections and ischemic strokes (strokes caused by blocked arteries to the brain). Patients suffering from severe periodontitis have been found to have a significantly higher risk of experiencing a stroke.

Common Risk Factors: The Double Whammy

It is also important to note that gum disease and heart disease share several common risk factors. When these factors overlap, the danger to your health compounds significantly:
  • Smoking and Tobacco Use: Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors for both severe gum disease and heart disease. Smoking weakens your body’s ability to fight off gum infections and damages blood vessels simultaneously.
  • Poor Diet: A diet high in refined sugars and processed carbohydrates feeds harmful oral bacteria and promotes systemic inflammation, contributing to weight gain, arterial plaque buildup, and tooth decay.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes and gum disease have a notorious two-way relationship. Poorly controlled blood sugar increases the risk and severity of gum infections, while chronic gum disease makes it harder to control blood sugar levels. Diabetes is also a major risk factor for heart disease.

By tackling your oral health, you are actively addressing a key variable in this complex health web.

Signs of Gum Disease You Shouldn’t Ignore

Because gum disease can develop quietly without causing severe pain in its early stages, it is crucial to recognize the warning signs before it impacts your systemic health. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
  • Gums that bleed during brushing, flossing, or eating hard foods
  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Gums that look like they are pulling away from your teeth (receding gumline)
  • Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away
  • Pus coming from between your teeth and gums
  • Loose teeth or changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is time to take action and visit our dental office for an evaluation.

Protecting Your Smile and Your Heart: Preventive Steps

The good news in all of this is that gum disease is highly preventable and manageable. By taking control of your oral hygiene, you can actively lower your systemic inflammation and protect your heart. Here is how you can keep your smile and your cardiovascular system in peak condition:
  1. Commit to Brushing Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Spend a full two minutes brushing all surfaces of your teeth, paying close attention to the gumline.
  2. Never Skip Flossing: Brushing cleans only about 60% of your tooth surfaces. Flossing daily is the only effective way to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth and beneath the gumline, where gum disease starts.
  3. Upgrade Your Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in leafy greens, lean proteins, and vitamin C, which supports healthy gum tissue. Limit sugary snacks and acidic drinks that fuel harmful bacteria.
  4. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps wash away food particles and stimulates saliva production. Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense mechanism, containing enzymes that fight bacteria.
  5. Ditch the Tobacco: Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your gums and your heart.
  6. Maintain Professional Dental Care: Even the most diligent home care routines cannot remove hardened tartar. Professional cleanings are absolutely essential to keep gum disease at bay.

Schedule Your Preventive Visit Today

Your oral health is a vital window into your overall physical wellness. Protecting your heart involves more than just monitoring your cholesterol and logging miles on the treadmill; it requires keeping your teeth and gums clean, healthy, and free of chronic infection.
At Glick & Woods Dentistry, we are deeply committed to looking at the big picture. Our experienced, compassionate team provides comprehensive, patient-centered care designed to protect your smile and support your whole-body health. Don’t wait for dental pain or systemic health issues to develop before taking charge of your well-being. Take the first step toward a healthier smile and a healthier heart. Book an appointment with us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can reversing my gum disease actually lower my risk of heart problems?

Yes. Studies have shown that when patients receive successful periodontal treatment, the levels of inflammatory markers (like C-reactive protein) in their bloodstream often decrease. Reducing this systemic inflammation helps alleviate stress on your blood vessels and lowers your overall cardiovascular risk.

2. How often should I see a dentist to prevent gum disease?

For most patients with good oral health, visiting the dentist twice a year (every six months) for a professional cleaning and examination is ideal. However, if you have a history of periodontitis, diabetes, or a genetic predisposition to gum disease, your dental team may recommend more frequent maintenance visits.

3. If my gums bleed a little bit when I floss, is that normal?

While occasional bleeding can happen if you floss too aggressively or haven’t flossed in a while, regular or persistent bleeding is never normal. Bleeding gums are the primary sign of gingivitis. It means your gums are inflamed and require professional dental care.

4. Can a regular dental cleaning remove tartar?
Yes. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it cannot be removed with a standard toothbrush or floss. Dental hygienists use specialized tools called scalers to safely and effectively remove tartar from your teeth and around the gumline during your routine cleaning.

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