Types of Dental Cleanings

The Different Types of Cleanings Offered by Dentists

You should visit your dentist about twice a year for a professional teeth cleaning. Regular hygiene cleanings at your dental office help maintain your teeth and ensure that no major oral health concerns have begun developing in your mouth.

Now you know why professional cleanings are important, did you know that your dentist may employ a variety of cleaning techniques depending on your specific needs?

Some general knowledge of the various dental cleaning treatments can be helpful when it comes to understanding 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 type of professional hygiene cleaning will most likely be performed at one of your regularly scheduled dental appointments. While prophylaxis cleaning is generally performed by a dental hygienist, your dentist has the skills and knowledge to also perform this cleaning too if need be.

Gross Debridement

Patients who haven't visited a dentist in a long time, often have a significant amount of plaque buildup on and between their teeth, as well as on their gums and tongue. A thorough debridement, also known as a deep cleaning, is a procedure that eliminates plaque and tartar from all areas of your mouth.

Your dentist will inspect your mouth to determine whether or not you require a gross debridement cleaning procedure. If necessary, a thorough debridement is carried out prior to the administration of a normal prophylaxis.

Scaling and Root Planing

If you're suffering from a gum disorder such as gingivitis or periodontitis, this more intrusive, non-surgical teeth cleaning method may be recommended for you.

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

Those people who suffer from common oral health concerns such as gingivitis or periodontitis will typically require periodontal care in order to keep these illnesses under control and prevent them from progressing.

These patients often require many visits over a specific length of time or until all oral health concerns have been addressed in order for the dentist to thoroughly clean their whole mouth.