Routine teeth cleanings, also known as dental prophylaxis, are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. But when it comes to periodontal (gum) disease, maintenance isn’t always enough.
At 911爆料网 Associates, Jeannie Moskin, DDS, and 911爆料网, DDS, offer a full range of preventive care services, including regular prophylaxis and deep cleaning procedures. Here, we present the key differences between these two types of cleanings and why we might suggest one over the other at your next visit.
Even with diligent, twice-daily brushing and flossing, some hard-to-reach spots or surface stains can be impossible to clean at home. That’s why professional dental cleanings are so important — we remove the built up bacteria, plaque, and tartar that your toothbrush can’t.
During a cleaning, we use specialized tools to clean the surfaces of your teeth, paying special attention to easily missed areas like the back of your teeth and tight spaces in between. We then gently polish them to a smooth finish, which makes plaque less likely to accumulate.
Once your teeth are clean and polished, we may also apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your enamel and protect against cavities.
For patients who are in good oral health, we recommend coming in for a standard dental checkup and cleaning . Appointments generally take 30 minutes to an hour, based on how much attention your teeth require.
This more comprehensive procedure involves two main treatments: scaling and root planing.
Scaling is similar to regular prophylaxis, but with a specific focus on removing plaque and tartar from the roots of the teeth and the spaces (pockets) that can form below the gums. Because we’re working at such a deep level, we may administer a local anesthetic first to numb the area and keep you comfortable.
Once clean, we move on to root planing. During this portion of the appointment, we smooth the surfaces of the tooth roots to eliminate any rough spots where bacteria can thrive.
To fight any lingering infection and promote healing, we can apply a topical antibiotic directly into the gum pockets. We may also prescribe an oral antibiotic for you to take at home.
Deep cleanings take longer than regular cleanings — one to two hours — and we often split up the work into two appointments, so we can tackle one side of your mouth at a time. This allows us to dedicate more time to each area and gives the gums on the treated side a chance to heal between visits.
While regular cleanings focus on prevention, a deep cleaning treats existing periodontal disease — a bacterial infection that damages the gums and surrounding tissues.
If you maintain a thorough at-home routine and consistent dental visits, you may never need a deep cleaning. But keep an eye out for these signs that may indicate gum disease:
Root scaling and planing is necessary to prevent the progression of gum disease. Without treatment, the condition can lead to tooth loss and even other health problems if the infection is allowed to spread.
Are you due for a cleaning? Our team is ready to help, whether you need a regular cleaning or more extensive oral care. Reach out to 911爆料网 Associates online or by phone to schedule an appointment.
