General
Teeth Cleaning - Forest Hills
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How important are teeth cleaning appointments?
Our knowledgeable hygienists provide thorough, gentle cleanings while maintaining patient comfort. We will thoroughly clean your teeth, remove plaque, calculus and stain from teeth. Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis) is an important treatment for preventing the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis. It is intended to control local irritating factors. These are performed on children or healthy adults without Periodontal Disease. A teeth cleaning includes: Polishing to remove stain and plaque Ultrasonic Scaling to remove tartar Hand Scaling to remove tartar Flossing.
What are the different types of teeth cleaning?
Different patients require different types of cleaning. The dentist and hygienist will recommend the cleaning treatment that’s right for your teeth. Tooth cleaning procedures carried out at the dental office fall into three categories; (i) prophylaxis; (ii) scaling and root planing; (iii) gross debridement.
It’s helpful to understand the needs for alternate cleaning methods at different times in a patient’s dental life. As we age, our teeth and gums move and change. At some moments, greater attention is required to ensure our oral health is supporting our general health in every way possible. Difficulty brushing or flossing, using the correct technique can lead to diminished confidence in our breath being fresh, and teeth being really clean. Sometimes an unexpected injury, such as a sprained wrist, can lead to decreased mobility and difficulty carrying out this previously simple task. Your hygienist will guide you through cleaning and flossing, and ensure you can replicate the practice at home, to make sure you are reaching every part of the mouth.
Proven Results
Evidence-based approaches with high success rates
Prophylaxis (Preventative) Cleaning - What is it?
We will also provide oral hygiene instructions on proper flossing and brushing technique. Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings Periodontal Maintenance cleanings are performed following periodontal therapy (Scaling and Root Planing). During this appointment, bacterial plaque and calculus both above and below the gumline are removed. Periodontal Maintenance intervals are determined through a clinical evaluation by Dr. Evon Heaser and your hygienist. Scaling and Root Planing Though your mouth may feel healthy and you may not have any symptoms, periodontal disease can progress without a patient knowing. In fact, 70% of the population has periodontal disease. Periodontal disease and gingivitis occur when bacteria from plaque colonize on the gingival (gum) tissue, either above or below the gum line. These bacteria colonies cause serious inflammation and irritation which in turn produce a chronic inflammatory response in the body.
Scaling and Root Planing - What is it?
Sometimes, if a particular tooth or area is being missed during your routine clean at home, and plaque has settled, tartar build-up can occur. If left untreated, this can lead to calculus, and the possibility of developing gum disease. Intensive cleaning removes the build-up of these hardened areas, to clear and clean the tooth and gum, fully exposing the gum line, to promote a healthy relationship between the teeth and their foundations.
Patients who have received a diagnosis of periodontitis, or are displaying signs that they may be susceptible to developing gum disease, are often administered deep cleaning in the form of scaling and root planing. Symptoms pointing to gum disorders include swollen or bleeding gums and loose teeth, though teeth can quickly recover after receiving the appropriate procedure to restore the roots’ integrity, holding their place in the gums securely.
Gross Debridement - What is it?
A gross debridement enables the dentist to identify any underlying issues, masked by plaque and tartar that has developed and become settled over time. For patients who have not seen a dentist in over a year, if there is a recurrence of debris becoming trapped frequently, buildup can occur, leading to hardened plaque and calculus. Once this is established, removal by normal brushing and flossing at home is not possible. The gross debridement procedure removes hardened plaque and dislodges calculus on the teeth and gum line, revitalizing the gum and stimulating its ability to provide strength and support for the teeth. This treatment allows the dentist to reveal any decay, which may have occurred as a result of the residual tartar, assessing any potential for cavities in the underlying tooth. Failure to undertake this cleaning once the health and structure of the teeth and gums have become compromised, can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
What happens if I don't get regular teeth cleanings?
As a result, the body begins to systematically destroy gum and bone tissue, which may cause the teeth to shift, become unstable, or completely fall out. The pockets between the gums and teeth become deeper and house more bacteria which may travel via the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body. If left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the supporting bones in your mouth. This is why early treatment and prevention is so important! Periodontal Scaling and Root Planning (SRP) is a non-surgical procedure performed by one of our licensed hygienists. SRP is the initial treatment for Periodontal Disease, which is the loss of jaw bone supporting the teeth. A careful cleaning of the root surfaces removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from the deep periodontal pockets and smoothes the tooth root surfaces. We typically use our needles anesthetic for this procedure. Patients will require ongoing Periodontal Maintenance care to maintain oral health.
How often should I have teeth cleanings?
Maintaining optimal dental health and cleanliness can sometimes pose a challenge; getting used to a new dental prosthesis or implant, can make the layout of the mouth feel a little different. Our brushing, flossing and oral cleaning products need revising and developing over time, as the lifetime of our teeth progresses. Appointments for checkups and dental cleaning every six months, enables the team to identify and eliminate little problems before they have a chance to turn into big ones.
What should I do if I have not had a teeth cleaning in a while?
Make an appointment to see our dental hygienist. Discuss any concerns that you have keeping your teeth clean. In the future try and see the dental hygienist every 6 months in order to maintain optimal dental health and allows us to keep an eye on any developing problems.