Teeth Cleaning
Russellville, AL
 Did you know that your mouth is home to naturally occurring bacteria? These bacteria can cause tooth decay, cavities, and other dental problems if left unchecked. While regular brushing and flossing may help prevent these issues, professional teeth cleaning at Singing River Dentistry is something you should do every six months.
The procedure involves using special tools and techniques to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria buildup that may develop, especially in difficult-to-reach areas, even with regular brushing and flossing.
Our dentists at Singing River Dentistry in Russellville, AL will evaluate the condition of your teeth and recommend a teeth cleaning type that will work best for you, depending on your oral health needs.
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What Are the Different Types of Dental Cleanings?
Besides brushing and flossing at home, there are several different types of cleanings: prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, deep cleaning procedures for the different stages of gum disease, periodontal maintenance appointments, and debridement. However, the type of dental cleaning you receive depends on your specific oral care needs.
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The most common type of cleaning is prophylaxis. It is simply a preventative cleaning procedure performed to prevent the onset of serious dental issues. This dental cleaning procedure is routinely used for people with good dental health. Through prophylaxis cleanings, unwanted plaque and tartar are removed from the front and back of your teeth, gums, and between teeth using a dental scaler or water stream. Dental prophylaxis cleanings can be done every six months for optimum oral health.
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Our dentists may recommend a scaling and root planing cleaning for patients with more advanced oral health issues, such as gingivitis and periodontitis (stages of gum disease).
Also known as deep cleaning, this is a non-surgical but slightly more invasive procedure that removes plaque and tartar buildup from both the teeth and the gum pockets. Typically, a single dental visit can complete deep cleaning procedures for gingivitis.
On the flip side, deep cleanings for periodontitis may require multiple appointments and local anesthetics, depending on the severity of the condition. Deep cleanings also typically include root planing or smoothing out rough spots on teeth, which allows the gum tissue to reattach to teeth and heal.
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Periodontal maintenance is routine maintenance we perform more frequently to prevent the recurrence of gum disease. Most notably, you may require this dental cleaning if you have gingivitis or periodontitis. It generally includes frequent dental visits and can be performed over a specified amount of time or until all dental health concerns have been appropriately addressed and the symptoms of gum disease are entirely controlled.
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For patients who have been avoiding dental visits or teeth cleanings for extended periods, there is likely a fair amount of plaque buildup on their gums, teeth, and in between teeth. In such cases, regular teeth cleaning is not enough. Instead, gross debridement is often utilized.
Since tartar is hardened plaque and large amounts of tartar are hard to remove, an ultrasonic tool is used to loosen and remove tartar during debridement. Once the excess tartar has been removed, we perform regular cleaning or prophylaxis. |
What Are the Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings?
Cleanings Help Prevent Gum Disease
Gingivitis and plaque are the main causes of gum disease, which can rapidly spread and eventually affect all your teeth. The disease usually begins with plaque build-up that accumulates on your teeth. When ignored, the plaque turns into tartar, which is harder and more difficult to get rid of.
Regular teeth cleaning not only ensures that plaque doesn't accumulate on your teeth, but it prevents tartar from forming and therefore considerably reduces the chances of gum disease.
Cleanings Are Also Helpful For Diabetic Patients
People with diabetes are more prone to gum disease, and without proper dental hygiene, the gum disease can get serious and cause major complications. Diabetic patients should ensure they get plaque and tartar removed from their teeth in a timely manner and brushing alone cannot help you do this.
our dentists help to take out the plaque and tartar effectively and this ensures that the risk of gum disease is considerably reduced.
People with high blood sugar levels find it very difficult to control gum disease and ensure that it is treated effectively. It is always better to prevent these infections rather than begin the tedious process of treatment.
Cleanings Provide Stronger Teeth
Regular dental cleaning means visits to our office on a regular basis, and this ensures identification of any dental issue at an early stage.
This also helps to treat the issue a lot faster and prevent you from having to spend on major dental procedures. Oral hygiene is one of the most underrated topics and people tend to believe that simply brushing their teeth twice a day is more than sufficient to have strong teeth.
While cleaning your teeth regularly is important, it is also essential for you to go through regular routine procedures like teeth cleanings and exams at least twice a year. Professional cleanings not only help to keep the teeth stronger and more presentable, but they help to treat the teeth and gums faster in case there is any infection that has set in. People who undergo regular teeth cleaning are less likely to suffer from cavities and tooth decay.
What Technology Do You Use During Teeth Cleaning?
Before any dental cleaning procedure, our dentists use advanced digital imaging technology to identify potential problems. These may include:
Digital X-Ray
Our dentists use digital x-rays to identify tooth and root positions. Digital x-rays are diagnostic tools that also help detect any dental abnormalities that aren't visible during a regular dental exam, such as decay or bone loss.
Intraoral Cameras
The intraoral camera is an incredible technology used in dental cleaning and exams. It works by using a tiny lens attached to a wand inserted into the mouth. The camera captures high-resolution images of teeth, gums, and other areas inside the mouth. By utilizing dental intraoral cameras, you have a comprehensive view of each tooth - allowing you to understand the diagnoses and how to assess them.
Laser Dentistry
The laser is a precision instrument to target and remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from surfaces of the teeth. The heat generated by the laser helps harden the tooth enamel and creates an environment that is less conducive to the growth of bacteria.
The laser can also gently access soft and hard tissues to better clean areas that may be difficult to reach with traditional dental tools. This process is especially beneficial for people who have a high risk of developing gum disease.
Deep cleaning teeth with a laser is less invasive, with minimal side effects and a shorter recovery than the conventional approach.
Schedule Teeth Cleaning with Your Russellville, AL Dentist Today!
If you are wondering what the process of teeth cleaning is like and how it's conducted then you can drop in at Singing River Dentistry to learn more about the process. You can also give us a call at 256-460-4191 to schedule an appointment for teeth cleaning.
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