The Types of Dental Cleanings
You should visit your dentist twice a year so they can clean your mouth and make sure no oral health problems have developed in your mouth.
But did you know that your dentist can implement a variety of cleaning techniques based on your individual needs?
When you grasp the many sorts of dental cleaning treatments, you will be better able to comprehend the terminology your dentist is using as well as what it takes to maintain your oral health and keep your smile bright.
Prophylaxis Cleaning
A prophylaxis cleaning is a routine cleaning that is meant to remove a specified amount of plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, between your teeth, and on your gums. It is most commonly performed on patients who have an overall healthy mouth and who practice good oral hygiene. Additionally, it will remove surface stains from your teeth.
This cleaning will most likely be performed at one of your regularly scheduled dental appointments. It is also usually performed by a dental hygienist, but your dentist has the skills and knowledge to perform prophylaxis cleaning too if need be.
Gross Debridement
Has it been a while since you've been to the dentist? If so, you will probably have a fair amount f plaque buildup between and on your teeth, on your tongue, and on your gums. A thorough debridement, also called deep cleaning, is a procedure that gets rid of tartar and plaque from all sections of your mouth.
Your dentist will evaluate your mouth to see if you need a gross debridement cleaning procedure. If required, a thorough debridement will be conducted prior to the administration of normal prophylaxis.
Scaling and Root Planing
Patients suffering from gum disorders such as gingivitis or periodontitis are frequently recommended this more intrusive, non-surgical teeth cleaning method.
Your dentist will do a thorough cleaning of your gums, gum line, and any other tissues that support your teeth. It may take many dental sessions to finish the cleaning since they need to smooth out the surface of your tooth root as well as remove any plaque and tartar that has formed on it.
Periodontal Maintenance
Patients suffering from common oral health issues like gingivitis generally need periodontal care to manage these illnesses and keep them from getting worse.
They generally require multiple visits over the course of a specific time frame or until all oral health problems have been addressed in order for the dentist to clean the entire mouth thoroughly.