Did You Know There Are Different Dental Cleanings?

You may not be doing enough for your oral health if you are still only going to your regular dental cleanings twice a year. There are some problems that occur in your mouth that may require different types of dental cleanings. Don’t settle for the bare minimum of cleanings, it may affect your health in a number of negative ways. At Vero VIP Implants & Periodontics, we are committed to making sure the health of your entire mouth is being addressed. We have several different options depending on your needs. Let’s explore the different types of dental cleanings and how they are helping to prevent periodontal diseases.

The Regular Cleaning: Prophylaxis

A dentist in Vero Beach, FL will perform prophylaxis cleanings. These are the cleanings you receive regularly, twice a year. A routine cleaning like this is geared towards preventing gum disease and maintaining the health of your teeth. It’s done on a healthy mouth as part of proper dental care every six months.

The cleaning service, usually performed by a dental hygienist, is going to remove plaque build- up on the tooth area near the gum line. Calculus is also removed, which is plaque that has become hardened and stuck to the tooth’s surface. This can usually be found between the teeth. Sometimes this plaque can be harder to remove near the back of the mouth where your molars are located. It can be hard to effectively brush in the back of the mouth so take extra care and time brushing and cleaning these areas.

Stains on the teeth are also buffed away during this kind of cleaning. Some of these stains can be due to coffee, tea, or wine consumption. A regular cleaning can prevent and remove some of these minor surface stains. Deeper stains will need a more targeted whitening procedure.

The Deep Cleaning: Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing

This type of cleaning is non-surgical, but goes deeper into the gum line to help stop the progression of gum disease. Gum disease or gingivitis is caused by bad bacteria from plaque infecting your gums causing inflammation. Plaque that is calcified is called tartar or calculus.

Your periodontist in Vero Beach, FL will discuss if you need to have a deeper cleaning performed on your mouth with you. They will be able to recommend this procedure after they see certain issues in your mouth progressing.

Some of those problems include bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss. Swollen gums, excess tartar build-up around your teeth, a receding gum line, bad breath, or loose teeth are also indications. All of these issues definitely require a more comprehensive cleaning plan that includes periodontal scaling and root planing. This type of cleaning procedure is very common. According to the AAP, more than 75 percent of adults over 35 have some form of gum disease. This staggering statistic means many people need this more specialized style of a procedure.

A Follow-Up Cleaning: Periodontal Maintenance Therapy

Once the deeper cleaning procedure or gum surgery is complete, it’s likely you may not be able to go back to just having regular cleanings every six months. You should schedule follow-up cleanings that are part of periodontal maintenance therapy.

This style of cleaning is geared towards improving the conditions caused by gum disease. It involves making visits to the periodontal office every three to four months. By getting rid of excess bacteria in the mouth, this will make it less likely for your gingivitis to progress into more serious periodontal disease.

Not a Cleaning Procedure But Still Important: Dental Debridement

There is one more type of procedure that’s technically not a cleaning, but still very important. It’s called a dental debridement. You qualify for this type of procedure if you haven’t been to the dentist for a cleaning in more than a year. It removes hard plaque and tartar built-up on your teeth and in your gum line. Some of the build-up may even be below your gum line. During this time, the health of your teeth and gums will be assessed to better determine if you need further oral health treatments.

If you have questions about what type of teeth and gum cleaning procedure you need, talk to our staff at Vero VIP Implants & Periodontics. We’re more than happy to schedule an appointment to discuss how having the best oral health possible will benefit your life.