Understanding Dental Cleanings and Their Importance
Professional teeth cleanings are important preventive treatments that are designed to complement home dental care, including regular brushing and flossing. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp., teeth cleanings are performed by registered dental hygienists who have advanced training and extensive experience.
Our entire team is known throughout the Orinda, California, area for being knowledgeable, caring, and gentle. When performed at appropriate intervals, teeth cleanings can be very effective for preventing tooth decay and gum disease. However, many factors can contribute to the development of cavities and other dental issues. A teeth cleaning appointment provides an excellent opportunity to develop and review an effective oral healthcare plan with a dentist.
What Does Teeth Cleaning Involve?
In addition to an oral health examination performed by a dentist, a teeth cleaning appointment at Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. will typically include:
- Plaque removal – A sticky, colorless film made of food debris, bacteria, and saliva, plaque forms naturally and can build up on teeth. If plaque is not removed periodically, the bacteria in it can produce toxins that cause gum inflammation and lead to the development of periodontal disease.
- Calculus (tartar) removal – Hardened plaque that builds up on tooth surfaces above and below the gum line, tartar can only be removed with special dental instruments.
- Teeth polishing – Using a small, soft rubber cup and special polishing paste, a dental professional gently removes surface stains and traces of plaque from the teeth, creating a lustrous shine and a refreshingly clean, “just left the dentist” feeling.
What are the different types of dental cleanings?
For one, there's a type called a gross debridement. Not gross as in disgusting, but gross as in large debridement. This type of cleaning is for people who haven't been to the dentist for years, and their teeth are covered in tartar to the extent that you can't even examine them because there's so much buildup on the gums and teeth. We focus on cleaning that out so we can proceed with an exam.
The other type of cleaning that most people know is called a prophy, short for prophylaxis. This cleaning is done on healthy gums. If you don't have gum inflammation or bone loss in the sockets, it's called a prophy.
If, however, you have gum inflammation but no bone socket level loss, it's called a gingivitis prophy. Gingivitis is just gum inflammation. A gingivitis prophy is a cleaning for reversible gum inflammation where the bone sockets have not been affected. Another type is scaling and root planing, known as a deep cleaning, for people with irreversible gum disease and bone socket loss. This detailed cleaning is required when you have very inflamed gums with a lot of buildup between the gum and teeth on the root surfaces. A regular cleaning is about 45 to 60 minutes, while a deep cleaning is about 2 hours.
Once you've had a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, you will never go back to a gingivitis prophy. You will always be cleaned as a periodontal maintenance patient (PMT).
What is the importance of dental cleaning?
The importance of a dental cleaning is that we remove bacteria and tartar that accumulate between your dental checkup visits. You can't reach everything on your own at home. We remove what you cannot remove at home. If you don't remove this buildup, it will lead to constant inflammation of the gums and bone sockets and can also cause cavities. We use special instruments like scalers and vibrating water devices, such as a PZO, to remove what you cannot get out at home.
How often should I have a dental cleaning?
It depends on your situation. Some people need to come in every 3 months, others every 4 or 6 months. If you are 60 or 50, you likely won't be coming in once every six months. You could, but a prophy or gingivitis cleaning for someone who comes in once every six months is usually for younger people with no inflammation or bone socket level loss. Most older, more mature people need to come in every 3 to 4 months.
How long should a typical dental cleaning take?
On average, we set aside 1 hour for your cleanings. The duration depends on whether you need to take X-rays and update your medical history, which can take longer. But if you're just coming in for a cleaning and checkup, it'll take a little less. Usually, it's about 60 minutes. This time allows us to do your cleaning, perform the exam, give you feedback, and possibly show you pictures to better understand your situation. It's also about coaching you to perform better oral care at home.
What happens during a teeth cleaning?
During the teeth cleaning, we update your medical history, take necessary X-rays if you're due, measure your gums, and remove plaque, which is the creamy white or clear slimy layer. We also clean the tartar underneath your gums using special scalers and water-vibrating instruments.
Are dental hygienists able to remove all tartar during a dental cleaning?
Generally, yes. That's why you visit us, and we use special instruments to achieve this.
Can dental cleaning damage teeth?
Can a dental cleaning damage teeth? No, they actually help your teeth. Dental cleanings help by removing bacteria and inflammatory debris that cause inflammation in your gums and bone sockets and bacteria that cause cavities.
How do I treat sensitive teeth after dental cleaning?
If you generally have sensitive teeth after cleaning, use desensitizing toothpaste. Many people find that using Sensodyne twice a day for 2 minutes for two weeks yields great results. Just make sure you are not rinsing right after brushing with desensitizing toothpaste, as it's like applying sunscreen and then jumping into the pool. Wait 20 to 30 minutes so that the fluoride and desensitizing agents can absorb into your tooth structure.
How can I schedule a dental cleaning?
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (925) 272-2698 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.