Professional Dental Cleaning

A professional dental cleaning is a cleaning treatment performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. A professional dental cleaning is an important dental treatment for stopping the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

A professional dental cleaning is an effective procedure in keeping the oral cavity in proper health and halting the progression of gum disease.

The benefits include:

• Plaque Removal – Tartar (also referred to as calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can result in serious periodontal problems. Unfortunately, even with a proper home brushing and flossing routine, it can be impossible to remove all debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. 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 esthetics of a smile. A professional dental cleaning is an effective treatment in ridding the teeth of these unsightly stains.
• Fresher Breath – Bad breath (or halitosis) is generally indicative of advancing periodontal disease. A combination of rotting food particles (possibly below the gum line) and potential gangrene stemming from gum infection, results in bad breath. The routine removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria at our facility can noticeably improve halitosis and reduce infection.

A professional dental cleaning can be performed at our office. We recommend that professional dental cleanings be performed twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be completed every 3-4 month for periodontitis sufferers. It should be noted that gum disease cannot be completely reversed, but a professional dental cleaning is one of the tools Dr. Williams can use to effectively halt its progression.

The bacterial plaque that builds up on our teeth will harden over time as the minerals in our saliva precipitate out.  The result is calculus, sometimes called “tartar”, a hard deposit that contains much of the same bacterial toxins as the plaque it was formed from.

Everyone builds up calculus.  Failure to remove the normal buildup from the teeth allows gingivitis and periodontitis (gum inflammation and infection) to occur. The only way to remove this calculus is with professional dental cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.

A professional dental cleaning usually involves several steps.  First, we measure the depth of the periodontal “pockets” the space between the teeth and the gums.  Next we will remove the bulk of the material, often with ultrasonic  instruments that use a spray coolant.  We do the fine “scaling” and “root planing” with precise hand instruments.  Then we will polish the teeth to remain residual stain and protein film, and apply a special fluoride gel or foam to the freshly exposed surface.  This fluoride treatment helps to protect the teeth from decay and helps to prevent sensitivity.

Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.