Professional dental cleanings are the very important for preventative dental care. Cleanings create a “clean slate” from which you can better maintain your daily home care. At your first visit, Dr. Lin and your hygienist will examine and evaluate the health of your gums, teeth, tissue, and bone. From there, we will recommend a dental cleaning regimen that will be customized for your dental needs.
Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis (prophy) is a cleaning treatment performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. It is an important treatment for halting the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
The benefits of a prophy include:
Plaque + tartar removal. Tartar (also referred to as calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can result in serious periodontal problems. Unfortunately, even with a proper home brushing and flossing routine, it can be impossible to remove all debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. Specialized dental equipment is necessary to catch potentially damaging buildup.
A healthier looking smile. Stained and yellowed teeth can dramatically decrease the esthetics of a smile. At the end of your cleaning appointment, the hygienist will polish any surface stains to reveal a brighter smile.
Fresher breath. Bad breath (or halitosis) is generally indicative of advancing periodontal disease. The routine removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria at the dentist can noticeably improve halitosis and reduce infection.
Non-surgical Gum Therapy
If it is determined that you have active periodontal disease, non-surgical gum therapy will be recommended. During the procedure, the hygienist will remove stubborn tartar and bacteria underneath the gum line to prevent continued bone and attachment loss. This usually requires anesthetic and the hygienist will make sure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. Healthy bone is especially important around teeth to prevent tooth mobility and tooth loss.