A dental cleaning is a procedure that helps with the routine maintenance of teeth. Patients who practice good oral habits see their dentists every six months. During these routine appointments, a dentist adds teeth cleaning to their to-do list.
Not all dental cleanings are the same. Some patients may have oral health issues that require a more aggressive form of teeth cleaning. In such cases, dental cleaning becomes a corrective procedure instead of a preventative one. This underscores the need to be proactive about professional dental cleaning.
Dentists recommend that their patients brush their teeth at least twice a day. They also advise their patients to brush for two minutes and floss their teeth daily. Good dental hygiene aims to reach all surfaces of the teeth to prevent plaque buildup.
However, the surfaces of some teeth are hard to reach, and they often go unattended for extended periods. This causes plaque buildup that is best removed by a professional dental cleaning. Depending on the oral health needs of an individual, there are different types of teeth cleaning procedures that a dentist will recommend.
The type of cleaning a dentist recommends will depend on the state of a patient's teeth and gums. It may also depend on the systemic health of a patient. Types of dental cleaning procedures include:
The term prophylaxis points to a preventative measure, which is what standard dental cleaning is. This is the type of teeth cleaning that a dentist performs during a routine dental checkup. As a preventative procedure that maintains oral health, regular teeth cleanings are for patients in good oral health. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque buildup from the tooth structures that sit above the gumline. It is a process that involves:
The procedure removes plaque and stains while adding a new layer of minerals to the enamel. It takes about an hour from start to finish.
Regular dental cleaning only targets the tooth structures that sit above the gumline. Scaling and root planing target the base of the teeth, the gum pockets and the tooth roots. This means that the procedure is a little more invasive than prophylaxis cleaning.
A dentist will only recommend scaling and root planing if their patient has extensive plaque and tartar buildup. Chances are that such a patient also suffers from mild or moderate gum disease. For patients with gum disease, scaling and root planing is a process that requires several sessions in the dentist’s chair. This brings us to the next aspect of teeth cleaning.
This is the continuous monitoring and maintenance of a patient’s oral health. Dentists recommend this treatment plan for people who suffer from some form of gum disease. They may also recommend it to a person with systemic health issues that affect their oral health.
Periodontal maintenance involves dental appointments that take place weeks apart. The dentist will use these appointments to check on the health of their patient’s teeth. When necessary, the dentist will perform standard or deep cleaning. Or the dentist may perform scaling and root planing.
This procedure is geared towards patients who have a large and widespread buildup of plaque. A good candidate for this procedure is a person with lax oral hygiene who rarely gets professional dental cleanings.
A dentist usually performs gross debridement as part of a larger treatment plan. By removing a large coating of plaque and tartar, the dentist can do an accurate visual exam of their patient’s teeth and gums.
Our general dentist will take good care of your teeth if they need to be cleaned. Call or visit our Prescott clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://familydentistprescott.com or call Joseph A. Savoini D.M.D., P.C. at (928) 297-3040 for an appointment in our Prescott office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Cleaning and Examinations in Prescott, AZ.
A dental cleaning is the perfect opportunity to catch up with your dentist. Yes really, catch up. Your average dentist loves it when their patients have healthy teeth that need little more than a light scrub. This is why preventative measures like routine checkups are so important.Patients with healthy teeth can spend the bulk of…
A dental cleaning is a simple and non-invasive dental procedure in which plaque and tartar accumulation is scaled away and the teeth and gum line are thoroughly cleaned and polished. There are several notable benefits of this preventive dental procedure that patients should understand. The benefits of dental cleaning include the ability to brighten and clean…
Some people may not realize how improper oral care can have a negative impact on their overall health. Untreated tooth decay does not heal without treatment and usually worsens over time. When those with multiple cavities ignore their dental needs, they may be putting themselves at risk for a variety of other medical problems, some…
General dentists are responsible for restoring and replacing teeth that are lost due to decay or accidents. Unfortunately, the teeth are prone to both, making it so that treatment is necessary. A common treatment used in general dentistry for tooth restoration and replacement is a dental bridge. Having a dental bridge placed can make life…
A dental cleaning is the perfect opportunity to catch up with your dentist. Yes really, catch up. Your average dentist loves it when their patients have healthy teeth that need little more than a light scrub. This is why preventative measures like routine checkups are so important.Patients with healthy teeth can spend the bulk of…
Need a Restorative dentist? Do you have an awkward smile? Have you been told by friends and family that your teeth need some attention? If so, don't worry! Many dentists can help. One option is to see a dentist who offers restorative treaetments. This type of dentistry will provide the best options for restoring your…