Professional dental cleanings are a valuable asset of your regular dental check-up, which you should schedule with our office every 6 months. Combining regular brushing and flossing with a visit to our office will not only give you a more confident smile, but it will also help protect you from tooth decay, tooth loss, and periodontal disease, also known as gum disease

During the cleaning portion of the exam, your hygienist will remove plaque and stains. He or she may also apply fluoride and polish your teeth. Our hygienist will most importantly take the time to educate you about proper home care and the best ways to take care of your oral health. We look forward to taking care of you and helping you feel refreshed and clean at your next cleaning appointment

Questions?

1. What is a cleaning?

A prophylaxis, or a dental cleaning, is a preventative procedure where the dental hygienist or dentist removes plaque, tartar, or stains from teeth. A dental cleaning may also include flossing and polishing of teeth above the gum line. At your dental cleaning, the hygienist may review proper home brushing and flossing techniques.

2. How often should I get a cleaning?

Cleanings are typically recommended once or twice a year for patients whose gums are generally healthy (healthy gum color, minimal plaque and debris, shallow gum pockets around teeth).

3. Why should I get a cleaning?

Your comfort and trust in our care is our priority. We recommend cleanings on a consistent interval to ascertain the continued health of your teeth and gums. Coming for a professional cleaning on a consistent basis can promote healing of gum disease, clean your teeth of plaque and stain, and assist in the elimination of bad breath.

4. What is a deep cleaning?

Periodontal scaling and root planing is often called a "deep cleaning" or "special cleaning." A dentist typically recommends this treatment for patients showing signs of moderate to severe gum disease. These signs may consist of finding deeper gum pockets around teeth, loss of bone support around teeth visible on X-rays, bleeding gums, and build-up of plaque below the gum line. Your deep cleaning appointment will consist of some numbing gel and anesthetic for your comfort. Your hygienist will then clean your teeth below the gum line and root surfaces for the purposes of promoting gum healing and cleanliness.