Prophylaxis Teeth Cleaning Will Transform Your Smile

So, what does prophylaxis mean in dentistry? Dental prophylaxis is the official name of our routine teeth cleaning procedure. Prophylaxis is the key treatment for halting the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, and gingivitis impact four out of five people. In the early stages, gum disease is usually painless, so it is difficult to catch early without routine teeth cleanings. These two issues occur when bacteria from plaque collect on the gum tissue, either above or below the gum line. These bacteria colonies cause inflammation and irritation, resulting in a chronic inflammatory response in the body. Your body will then begin destroying the gum and bone tissue, causing teeth to shift, become unstable, or completely fall out. Luckily, this disease can be stopped in its tracks with prophylaxis teeth cleanings.

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Benefits of a Prophylaxis Teeth Cleaning

Prophylaxis teeth cleaning is an excellent procedure to help keep your oral health in good condition while aiding in treatment for gum disease. There are many benefits of routine teeth cleanings, including tartar removal, fresher breath, and identification of health issues.

Tartar Removal

Tartar is the solid form of plaque, a sticky film made of bacteria. When tartar and plaque buildup around the gum line, problems like gingivitis and cavities can occur. At these routine teeth cleanings, your dentist will remove the buildup. It is important to utilize the best brushing and flossing techniques on your own in between appointments, but there will always be leftover plaque and tartar to remove during your teeth cleaning. The experienced eye of a dentist will be able to quickly identify and treat these leftover areas of tartar and plaque buildup.

Fresher Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, is one of the most frustrating symptoms for those with gum disease. Bad breath is generally caused by a combination of leftover food particles below the gum line and other periodontal problems. Removing plaque and tartar noticeably improves breath in these cases. Additionally, it will be easier to brush and floss at home without the worry of pain from gum disease.

Identification of Health Issues

Many oral health issues can be detected during routine teeth cleanings. Since prophylaxis involves a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity, our Marysville dental team is able to screen for oral cancer, evaluate the risk of gum disease, and even spot signs of problems like diabetes and kidney problems. We will also provide recommendations for home care regimens and can alter the regimen based on your needs.

What Does Prophylaxis Treatment Involve?

As prophylaxis is considered a deeper cleaning than a typical teeth cleaning, it can be performed in the course of a regular dental visit or, if necessary, under general anesthetic. The latter is particularly common where severe periodontal disease is suspected or has been diagnosed to reduce discomfort. 

Prophylaxis is generally performed in these stages:

1. Supragingival cleaning: This is the official name for cleaning the area above the gum line. We use special scaling tools to remove the plaque and tartar from the area.
   
   
2. Subgingival cleaning: In this step, our team removes tartar and plaque from the gum pockets beneath the gum line. Since this step provides a deeper cleaning, it is the most important step for patients with gum disease. 
   
   
3. Root planing: This is the smoothing of the tooth root to clear any remaining bacteria. Root planing is an important step for patients with periodontitis due to the dangerous location of the bacteria.
   
   
4. Medication: Next, we will apply an antibiotic or antimicrobial cream to the gum pockets. These creams promote fast and healthy healing in the pockets and help ease discomfort.
   
   
5. X-ray and examination: Routine X-rays help our team determine the extent of potential periodontal disease. These x-rays show the extent of bone and gum recession while identifying which areas may need future attention. 

Prophylaxis is recommended twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be performed every 3-4 months for patients with periodontitis. Though gum disease cannot be completely reversed, prophylaxis is one of the tools our dental experts can use to effectively halt its progression. 

Our team wants the best for your oral health. Schedule an appointment today to pursue a happier and healthier smile!

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