Dental Cleanings

An essential part of your oral health care is having your teeth professionally cleaned. Depending on your periodontal status, regular cleanings are recommended every 3 to 6 months. At this appointment any stubborn plaque and tartar are cleared, gum measurements may be recorded, any required x-rays will be taken, and your teeth will be polished and flossed. Depending on your exam interval, a fluoride treatment may be recommended. Additionally, the hygienist will give your personalized tips to help your home care and the doctor will stop in for a quick exam, if indicated. It is important to maintain these regular cleaning cycles so that we can keep your teeth, bone, and gums healthy and catch any problems that may arise early!
 

Deep Cleaning

According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), one out of every two adults has some level of periodontal disease. In such cases, routine cleaning may not suffice, and deep cleaning is needed to stabilize the bone and gum health. Once the bone and gums recede and create deeper “pockets”, this provides a space that is extremely difficult for you to clean. Plaque and tartar collect in these “pockets” and cause severe inflammation and further bone loss. To clean each area of your mouth properly, it may take 2 to 4 appointments. Once a deep cleaning is performed, maintenance cleanings are recommended every 3 to 4 months to prevent further deterioration of the periodontal health. Periodontal disease is a major risk factor for diabetes, stroke, and heart attack, and we want to do everything we can to keep the mouth and rest of the body happy and healthy.