When a dentist examines your mouth, it provides clues to your overall health. General guidelines recommend going in for professional cleaning once every six months. Professional cleanings take care of plaque and tartar and prevent cavities, decay, and gum disease. If you’ve been putting off getting a cleaning for fear of pain, know that the procedure is pain-free and does not require anesthetics or sedation.
There are two types of cleanings you can get at your dentist’s office: routine teeth cleaning and deep cleaning. Your dental team will let you know which of the two cleanings you need. Here is what each type of cleaning entails.
Routine Cleaning
Routine cleanings are performed at your regular check-ups every six months. A dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar that has collected in between teeth, on the surface of teeth, and along the gumline. Then, the teeth will be cleaned, polished, and flossed.
During routine cleanings, dental issues, such as cavities, gum disease, and damaged teeth are often diagnosed. Routine cleanings are much more thorough than most people’s brushing and flossing at home. Having a routine cleaning every 6 months helps prevent tartar from building up on your teeth, which is a great preventive measure for dental care.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning involves a deeper cleaning with scaling and root planing. The hygienist goes deeper into the roots of your teeth. Since this type of cleaning goes deeper and is more extensive, a numbing agent may be used for your comfort. Deep scaling involves the removal of tartar above and below the gum line using a scaler. The hygienist may also use an ultrasonic device to remove plaque from the surface of the teeth. During root planing, the hygienist cleans deep beneath the gums and smooths the rough surfaces to allow the gum tissue to make contact with the tooth surface and prevent bacteria from collecting in the pocket.
Deep cleanings are not necessary every time you visit a dentist. Usually, patients with bacteria collecting in gum pockets and the roots of the teeth, which may indicate early-stage gum disease, are recommended for this type of cleaning.
Deep cleanings are so effective that they can help reverse the progression of gum disease. While a routine cleaning takes a single appointment to complete, a deep cleaning is broken down into two sessions, where half of the mouth is cleaned per session.
Teeth Cleaning in St. Paul, MN
After an evaluation, the dental team at Hagerman Dental Care can determine which type of cleaning is best for you. In our St. Paul dental clinic, we use the most advanced tools for detecting decay and diagnosing and tracking the progression of gum disease. We also check for signs of oral cancer during routine check-ups.
If you are ready for a teeth cleaning, schedule your appointment now by calling (651) 646-2392 or by filling out our appointment request form. We look forward to providing you with the latest dental solutions for better oral and overall health!