Different Types Of Teeth Cleaning To Stay Healthy

5 October 2022
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Proper teeth care is not only important to the health of your gums, but also to your overall health. Germs and bacteria can accumulate on your teeth and can then travel to other parts of your body. Daily brushing and flossing are a good start to keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy but you should also visit your dentist regularly to make sure you are removing everything from all the hard-to-reach spots. Here are the different types of teeth cleaning a dentist may do to keep you healthy.

Routine or Prophylaxis Cleaning

This is the regular cleaning done when you visit the dentist. It is often done by the hygienist. They will brush your teeth and then use tools to get in between them and a bit under the gumline to make sure tartar and plaque are not building up. Once they are sure everything is clean then they will polish them to give them a nice shine.

Gross Debridement

When a regular cleaning cannot get all the plaque off your teeth, the dentist will perform a gross debridement. It uses stronger tools than regular cleaning. These stronger tools mean it is possible for some of the enamel to be removed if done improperly, so this procedure will always be done by the dentist and not the hygienist to reduce the chance of any enamel damage.

Scaling and Root Planing

If you have not been to the dentist in a couple of years, odds are good that there will be a build-up of plaque under your gums. It is also quite possible you have gum disease. This is when the dentist will perform deep scaling and root planing. You may even be referred to a periodontist to have this work done. The dentist will use tools to get deep under the gums and remove the plaque. If the plaque is severe, they may be required to cut into the gums to remove it all. 

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a lifetime chore. Even if you have dentures you need to make sure your gums are healthy. Take the time to see your dentist regularly. Regular dental checkups and teeth cleaning will reduce the chance of you needing to have any of the deeper cleanings done. It is also the best way to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible. While old age and different medical conditions may cause you to lose your teeth, it does not mean that you can forego seeing the dentist regularly to stay healthy. 

Reach out to a service such as Dental Clinic of Onalaska to learn more.