What Are the Different Types of Dental Cleanings?

Two time-tested ways to help keep your teeth healthy – one, establish an oral care routine and two, visit your dentist regularly for dental cleanings in Willow Knolls, IL. Are you aware that your mouth harbors thousands of bacteria? These bacteria thrive because of the food you enjoy. If you don’t remove them through brushing, flossing, and professional teeth cleanings, they will populate your mouth and cause dental problems like gum disease and tooth decay.

The American Dental Association recommends patients visit their dentist at least once every six months for a comprehensive oral exam and professional teeth cleaning. Although these visits will warrant your time, your efforts will not be in vain.

Through these visits, your dentist can assess the condition of your teeth and gums and discover problems before they blow out of proportion and cause irreversible damage to your oral health. There are different types of dental cleanings, so let’s find out what they are.

What Type of Dental Cleaning Do You Need?

Prophylaxis Dental Cleaning

A prophylaxis dental cleaning is ideal for people who have healthy teeth and gums. This procedure aims to remove plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth in the front, sides, and back using water and a scaler.

Plaque and tartar must be removed before they accumulate and cause tooth decay and gum disease. Most patients only need this type of dental cleaning if they are diligent in their oral care routine and yearly dental appointments.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, is a procedure most suitable for patients who have gingivitis and periodontitis. For patients with gingivitis, the earliest form of gum disease, a single dental appointment for deep cleaning would suffice. Still, if the disease has advanced to periodontitis, you may need to come back for multiple appointments. Local anesthesia may be administered depending on the severity of the disease.

The procedure is broken down into two parts – scaling and root planing. Scaling is removing plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth and below the gum line where gum pockets have formed.  

Deep cleaning not only gets rid of the bacteria but also significantly reduces gum inflammation. Root planing involves smoothening the tooth roots to discourage plaque and bacteria from reattaching to your teeth.

Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning

Another form of dental cleaning is periodontal maintenance. It’s a type of dental cleaning that helps treat gum disease. It’s quite like scaling and root planing as it gets rid of plaque and tartar on your teeth’s surface and inside gum pockets, followed by the smoothing out of the tooth roots.

This cleaning is different because it is done more frequently than other cleanings. The increased frequency is because gum disease can advance fast and may continue to wreak havoc in your gum tissues if it’s not treated appropriately.

Gross Debridement Cleaning

A gross debridement cleaning is recommended for people who have excessive amounts of plaque and tartar. It’s usually offered to patients who haven’t practiced good dental hygiene or avoided dental cleanings for years.

When plaque is allowed to accumulate over time, it will harden and turn to tartar. Tartar is impossible to remove with a toothbrush. Your dentist will use tools to scrape off calcified tartar. Once all plaque and tartar are removed, a prophylaxis dental cleaning is done to ensure your teeth are clean.

Do You Have More Questions About Dental Cleanings in Willow Knolls, IL?

If you’re unsure, talk to us, and we’ll assess your mouth and determine what cleaning your mouth needs. At Smalltown Dental, we offer a wide range of affordable preventive, general, and cosmetic dental treatments to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Contact us today for an appointment.