Types of Cleanings

Maintaining healthy and shiny teeth does not come easy. Even after being diligent about oral health and doing regular brushing and flossing, it is essential to visit the dentist for a cleaning. Dental cleanings help get the perfect oral health and make you aware of any dental problems well within time to reduce the chances of tooth decay and gum diseases. The American Dental Association recommends visiting the general dentist twice a year for dental assessment and cleaning. In a dental cleaning, the dentist removes plaque and tartar build-up from the teeth. 

There are three types of dental cleanings, and each serves a different purpose. After evaluating the teeth and gums, a dentist can recommend one of the following cleanings based on the condition:

Regular cleaning or Prophylaxis (meaning ‘to prevent disease’) 

It is the routine dental cleaning the dentist performs every six months to keep the mouth in the best of health and prevent any gum disease. It is performed when the patient has good dental health, and there are no signs of any disease. It involves removing plaque, stains, and calculus from all the visible parts of the teeth by a dental hygienist with the help of a dental scaler. The teeth are polished after this cleaning. 

Deep cleaning or Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)

It is a non-surgical procedure for cleaning the teeth and gums of patients affected by gingivitis or periodontitis. Symptoms like bleeding gums, swollen or red gums, loose teeth, and bad breath indicate the need for deep cleaning. In this process, first, the plaque, bacteria, and tartar are eliminated from the visible tooth surface and the roots and below the gum line with a metal or ultrasonic scaler. Then the root surface is made smooth for the reattachment of the gum tissues (known as planing) and to get rid of pockets of bacteria. When left unchecked, it can get severe and eventually lead to multiple tooth loss. A patient may require scaling and root planing if the teeth have not been cleaned professionally for long or due to a lack of regular brushing and flossing and poor oral hygiene. Periodontal maintenance is a type of follow-up cleaning necessary for patients who have undergone scaling and root planing to treat gum diseases. It should be performed every 3-4 months to restrict the growth of gum diseases causing bacteria. It also helps the dentist in assessing the overall oral health. 

Gross debridement

If you have delayed the dentist visit by a year or more, there might be significant development of plaque on the teeth, gums, and in between teeth, and regular cleaning might not work for it. Scaling is used to remove the plaque that is built-up over time. It is a quick process that also involves polishing to get rid of stains from teeth. After an oral examination, a dentist will determine whether you need a gross debridement or a regular cleaning.

There are different types of dental cleanings, and their knowledge can set the expectations right during the next dental visit. Going for regular cleanings to a dentist and maintaining excellent oral hygiene is the best way to avoid tooth decay and gum diseases.

If you need a gentle, caring dental team, please call our office at (623) 362-2550. We’ll give you the very best dental care we can!