It is recommended that most patients visit the dentist twice per year for routine cleanings and exams. Even if your teeth and gums are healthy, it’s important for our team to take a look to make sure that no cavities have developed, gingivitis isn’t present, and any dental restorations you have are still in good shape, among other reasons. We’ll also want to clean your teeth to help reduce your chances of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues.
Dental Cleanings Process
Routine dental cleanings involve brushing the patient’s teeth with an electric toothbrush and a special gritty toothpaste that’s designed to clean and polish the teeth. Our hygienists also carefully scrape away plaque and tartar that has built up around the teeth and gums. These areas are hard for patients to properly clean at home with a toothbrush, so dental hygienists are specially trained to thoroughly clean around the gum line and between the teeth. The teeth must also be expertly flossed to remove any remaining plaque. Your hygienist may ask you a few questions or make some notes about your teeth or gums to mention to Dr. Johnson as well.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Patients with periodontal disease must schedule periodontal maintenance appointments instead of regular cleanings and dental exams to stay on top of their gum care. These appointments include scaling and root planing treatments. Scaling is done to remove the plaque and tartar that has collected below the gum line in the gum pockets, and root planing is done afterward to smooth out the tooth roots and help the gums reattach to the teeth. These visits may need to be scheduled three or more times per year, and they are important for monitoring periodontal disease and preventing it from worsening.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Need to schedule a cleaning with our team? We would be happy to help you regardless of the kind of cleaning you need. Feel free to give our office a call or send us a message, and we can find a time that works for your schedule.