Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning treatment performed to clean the teeth and gums thoroughly. A dental prophylaxis is a necessary dental treatment to stop gingivitis and periodontal disease progression. A dental prophylaxis is an effective procedure for keeping the oral cavity in proper health and halting the progression of gum disease.
The Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleaning Include the Following:
- Plaque Removal. Tartar (also called calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can result in serious periodontal problems. Unfortunately, removing all debris, bacteria, and deposits from gum pockets can be impossible, even with a proper home brushing and flossing routine. The experienced eye of a dentist or hygienist using specialized dental equipment is necessary to catch potentially damaging buildup.
- A Healthier-Looking Smile. Stained and yellowed teeth can dramatically decrease the aesthetics of a smile. Prophylaxis is an effective treatment in ridding the teeth of these unsightly stains.
- Fresher Breath. Bad breath (or halitosis) is generally indicative of poor oral hygiene. A combination of food particles (possibly below the gum line) and potential complications stemming from a gum infection can also result in bad breath. The routine removal of plaque, calculus, and bacteria at our facility can improve halitosis and reduce infection.
What Happens During Professional Dental Cleanings?
Your dentist and dental hygienist will manually remove plaque, debris, and tartar from your teeth and gum line during a professional dental cleaning. Typically, your dentist will combine dental cleaning with a dental exam. First, during your appointment, your dentist will examine the health of your teeth. Next, your dentist and dental hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth. They will manually remove it with a scraping tool and a cavitron. A cavitron is an ultrasonic scaler that uses high-frequency vibrations and water flow to clean the teeth efficiently.
After the team eliminates the plaque and tartar from your teeth, they will use a gritty polishing paste to remove the remaining bacteria and debris from your teeth. Their polishing paste is more abrasive than your typical toothpaste and should only be used a few times a year. Next, your dentist will floss your teeth. This helps to remove hard-to-get debris from between your teeth and on your gum line. Lastly, your dentist or hygienist will rinse your mouth with water.
Fluoride and Sealants
Another treatment that patients often get during their dental cleaning is fluoride and dental sealants. After the dental cleaning, your dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth. The fluoride will chemically strengthen your teeth. Overall, this helps to prevent dental decay in the future. Patients can also benefit from dental sealants. The dental sealant, a liquid made of composite resin, will be placed inside deep crevices on top of your back molars and dried with a special curing light to seal off the crevices. So, when debris and bacteria fall onto your back molars, they will slide off. Ask your dentist about these great ways to protect your teeth during your next dental cleaning.
We recommend that prophylaxis be performed twice annually as a preventative measure but should be completed every 3-4 months for people who suffer from advanced periodontitis or undergoing traditional braces treatment. Periodontitis probably can not be completely reversed, but we can use dental prophylaxis to effectively slow down or halt the disease progression.
Teeth Cleaning in San Francisco
Dr. Jiahua Zhu, Dr. Semi Lim and Dr. Amrit K. Sethi can help you avoid or reverse gum disease. We can perform a professional dental cleaning at our office. We recommend that prophylaxis be performed twice annually as a preventative measure, but you should come in every 3-4 months if you suffer from periodontitis. Contact us today!