Teeth Cleaning
Regular visits to the dentist are a very important part of maintaining your oral health.
Why is professional teeth cleaning important?
- Healthier Gums. Tartar (also referred to as calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can result in serious periodontal problems. Unfortunately, even with a proper home brushing and flossing routine, it can be impossible to remove all debris, bacteria and deposits from the teeth and gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dentist or hygienist using specialized dental equipment is necessary to catch and remove potentially damaging buildup.
- A healthier looking smile. Stained and yellowed teeth can dramatically decrease the esthetics of a smile. Prophylaxis is an effective treatment in ridding the teeth of many of these unsightly stains.
- Fresher breath. Bad breath (or halitosis) is generally indicative of advancing periodontal disease. A combination of bacteria and food particles (possibly below the gum line) produce chemicals that can result in bad breath. The routine removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria at our facility can noticeably improve halitosis and reduce infection.
What can I expect when I get my teeth cleaned?
The dental hygienist will identify and remove plaque and calculus with various dental instruments and teeth will be polished to remove stain and to help minimize future buildup.
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Generally, we recommend a professional teeth cleaning twice annually as a preventative measure, but may be recommended every 3-4 months for some patients. It should be noted that gum disease cannot be completely reversed, but prophylaxis (professional dental cleaning) is one of the tools Dr. Callstrom can use to effectively halt its progression. Patients with more periodontal disease activity may need a different type of cleaning. Good daily oral hygiene habits by the patient are still the most important factor in our gum tissue health.
Are there different types of dental cleanings?
Periodontal (gum tissue) health can vary form one patient to another. Treating each appropriately is very important. There are at least four types of dental “cleaning’ procedures; each is used for particular circumstances and severity of periodontal disease activity or progression. The most common type of dental cleaning is called prophylaxis; it is a routine, basic procedure performed to clean a patients teeth who has minimal plaque and calculus accumulation. This procedure is used most on patients with gingivitis and is an important dental treatment for stopping the progression of gingivitis toward periodontal disease.
Other types of cleanings are actually periodontal treatments. Examples are:
- Full Mouth Debridement – a pre-cleaning for those with severe calculus build up
- Scaling and Root Planing – a deep cleaning for those with early stages of gum disease
- Perio Maintenance – a periodontal cleaning for those with a history of gum disease.