Dental Cleanings with the Dental Hygienist
As thorough as your home-care might be, we recommend that you see our hygienist at least twice per year in order to keep your teeth and gums in the healthiest condition possible.
Why do I need a cleaning twice per year?
The reason that patients need a professional cleaning twice per year is because plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) can build up in the mouth – even if you brush and floss daily! While every person has a different rate at which buildup forms and where in the mouth it forms, excessive plaque and calculus buildup can lead to gum disease. And gum disease can lead to tooth loss! Thus, prevention is key.
What will happen at my appointment?
At your hygiene appointment we will review your medical history, perform an oral cancer screening, and a provide a thorough examination of your mouth, gums and your teeth. You can read more about the exam on our exams page.
We will then clean your teeth with a combination of scaling with a machine and by hand, and we will polish and floss your teeth. In addition, we will go over brushing and flossing techniques with you and answer any questions that you may have.
What about deep cleanings?
Routine dental cleanings are designed to clean the teeth and the gum areas directly around the teeth. If you have significant buildup below the gum line, or if you have a history of gum disease (periodontal disease), we might recommend a deep cleaning in order to reach these areas.
