Routine cleaning of teeth and gums is necessary to maintain a healthy state of the teeth and gums. Not all cleanings, however, are alike, and based on the nature of your oral health, your dentist might prescribe certain kinds of cleanings that would suit your requirements best. Whether you know very little about dental cleaning, except for a simple cleaning, or have a lot about dental cleaning, including more extensive types of dental cleaning, knowing what dental cleaning is available can make you a better-informed and proactive patient.
In the event that you are not sure about the cleaning that suits you best, your dentist can advise you to conduct an in-depth examination and then advise on the same. Most patients at the Beach Cities Dental Group will enjoy tailor-made cleaning schedules that can work on every issue, like plaque, and take care of the implants.
1. Prophylaxis Cleaning (Routine Cleaning)
A routine cleaning is also known as prophylaxis. This is normally carried out at your general dental visit-which is normally once in every six months. This cleaning is aimed at the removal of plaque, tartar (calculus), and surface stain that is above the gum line.
Ideal for:
- Patients whose gums and teeth are generally healthy
- The prevention of gangrene, gum disease, and tartar deposits
The dental hygienist will include polishing, flossing, and ultrasonic scalers and hand tools to scrape off the deposit. Fluoride treatment can also be involved, depending on your tendency to get decays.
2. Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical dental treatment that is meant to treat patients who exhibit symptoms of gum disease. This cleaning is the one below the gumline to eliminate the bacteria and hardened deposits of the tooth roots.
Ideal for:
- Patients with mild and moderate periodontitis
- Decreasing gum inflammation and the depth of the pocket
The operation can take place with local anesthesia; it can be divided into several sessions based on its high or low magnitude. Following deep cleaning, the gums can get back together with the teeth more closely, and overall health of periodontal health can be enhanced.
3. Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning
After scaling and root planing/ treatment of gum diseases, the patient should attend periodontal maintenance after 3-4 months to maintain the bacterial levels. Similar areas, which are cleaned by deep cleaning, are cleaned using this method, but the frequency of the cleaning is much higher, and this is aimed at ensuring that re-occurrence of infection does not take place.
Ideal for:
- The patients who already had periodontal disease
- The long-term care of gums and bones
Your hygienist will help to check pocket depth and subgingival deposits removal, as well as give some home care instructions individually, so that further progress is not slowed down.
4. Gross Debridement Cleaning
More extensive cleaning is carried out as a gross debridement of patients who have not been to a dental appointment in years or have accumulated large amounts of plaque and calculus. Your dentist can suggest this cleaning before any thorough examination or diagnosis to get rid of the heavy debris.
Ideal for:
- Patients who have a large buildup of tartar
- Getting ready for a more detailed analysis
This is a more vicious form of cleaning, and it might need more than one visit. After the level of plaque and tartar is decreased, the dentist will be able to do a comprehensive evaluation of the mouth and prescribe any other necessary treatments.
5. Dental Implants Cleaning
Dental implants have their own need for maintenance, not to develop a condition like gum disease, or as best described as peri-implantitis. Implants lack periodontal ligaments found in natural teeth and thus require specialized tools and methods.
Ideal for:
- Patients with dental implants or other implants
- Staying away from bone loss and implant failure
Treatment of dental implant teeth can entail non-metallic instruments, the application of ultrasonic scalers with plastic tips, and antibacterial mouthwashing in order to avert inflammation. Your dentist or hygienist will also examine any early symptoms of an infection or tissue irritation in the area of the implant.
The Reason Why the Type of Cleaning Matters
All kinds of dental cleaning are aimed at a particular purpose. Although prophylaxis plays a key role in prevention, scaling and root planing are applicable in the active disease stage. Chronic conditions can be controlled with periodontal maintenance, and implants need cleanings in order to protect their valuable restoration.
When plaque is not removed on time, it can turn to tartar. One may end up developing cavities, loss of gums, and sometimes teeth or implants. This is the reason why your dentist will provide you with specific cleaning suggestions depending on your unique oral health condition.
Causes of Variation in Type of Cleaning
The kind of dental cleaning suited to you depends on a few factors, and they are:
Gum health: A warning to patients is bleeding, inflammation, or pocket depth, which requires deep cleaning.
Crown restorations: Those who have crowns, bridges, or implants are special patients.
Medical disorders: Autoimmune diseases, smoking and diabetes may put you at risk to gum disease.
Practices of oral hygiene: Failure to brush or floss regularly results in an increase in the rate at which plaque develops.
Your dental practitioner can check these factors during the visit so that to recommend the best cleaning method.
Oral Health at Home
Although it is crucial to have a professional cleaning, home care is important as well. These are some of the tips that can help you with your dental cleanings:
- Use a twice-a-day fluoride toothpaste and brush twice a day
- Clean between teeth with floss on a daily basis to eliminate plaque removing it
- Take an antibacterial mouthwash in case it is suggested
- Avoid tobacco and reduce sugary foods
- Change your toothbrush once in every 3-4 months
In case you are a dental implant user, consult your dentist to keep what is called hygiene around the implant point using what is termed an interdental brush or use what is referred to as water flossers.
See Your Local Dental Team to get Personal Service
Be it simple cleaning or special services to overcome gum disease or implants, having a well-established group of professionals in the dental field means that your teeth are always in good shape. In Beach Cities Dental Group, the clients are offered individual cleaning procedures, accompanied by a full analysis of their wellbeing and the use of the latest technology.
In case you do not know which kind of cleaning you require or if it has been a long time since you last visited the dentist, then a consultation is the best idea to start with.
Book now your dental cleaning now and take the next step towards a more brilliant and healthy smile by contacting us today.