Teeth Cleaning

Dental Prophylaxis

A woman having her teeth cleanedA dental prophylaxis is a cleaning treatment performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. Dental prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for stopping the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Dental prophylaxis is an effective procedure in keeping the oral cavity in proper health and halting the progression of gum disease.

Professional dental cleaning can be performed at our office. We recommend that prophylaxis be performed twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be completed every 3-4 months for our patients with periodontal disease. It should be noted that gingivitis (inflammation of gum tissue) can be reversed with regular dental visits and proper home care but periodontal disease can not be reversed. However, proper home care and regular dental visits can hault the progression of periodontal disease.

The benefits of professional teeth cleaning include:

  • Plaque removal. 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 brushing and flossing, it can be impossible to remove all debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dental hygienist using specialized dental equipment is necessary to catch potentially damaging buildup.
  • Early detection. During a cleaning, your hygienist is not only screening for gum disease, they are also looking for early signs of decay. Head and neck cancer screens are also performed at every cleaning. 
  • Fresher breath. Bad breath (or halitosis) is generally indicative of advancing periodontal disease. A combination of food particles (possibly below the gum line) and potential bacteria under the gum line, results in bad breath. The routine removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria at our facility can noticeably improve halitosis and reduce infection.