Dental Teeth Cleaning in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne & Surrounding Areas

A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth.  Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment to remove tartar and plaque to keep the teeth and gums healthy. It is recommended every six months. 

Reasons for prophylaxis/teeth cleaning

Prophylaxis is a dental procedure to help keep the oral cavity in good health and also halt the progression of gum disease.

Here are some of the benefits of prophylaxis:

• Tartar removal – Tartar (calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can cause serious periodontal problems if left untreated.  Even using the best brushing and flossing homecare techniques, it can be impossible to remove debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets.  The experienced eye of a dentist using specialized dental equipment is needed in order to spot and treat problems such as tartar and plaque buildup.
  
  
• Aesthetics – It’s hard to feel confident about a smile marred by yellowing, stained teeth.  Prophylaxis can rid the teeth of unsightly stains and return the smile to its former glory.
  
  
• Fresher breath – Periodontal disease is often signified by persistent bad breath (halitosis).  Bad breath is generally caused by a combination of rotting food particles below the gum line, possible gangrene stemming from gum infection, and periodontal problems.  The removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria noticeably improves breath and alleviates irritation.
  
  
• Identification of health issues – Many health problems first present themselves to the dentist.  Since prophylaxis involves a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity, the dentist is able to screen for oral cancer, evaluate the risk of periodontitis and often spot signs of medical problems like diabetes and kidney problems.  Recommendations can also be provided for altering the home care regimen.

What does prophylaxis treatment involve?

Prophylaxis is performed during a regular dental visit.

Prophylaxis treatment involves:

1. X-ray and examination – Routine X-rays can be extremely revealing when it comes to periodontal disease.  X-rays show the extent of bone and gum recession, and also aid the dentist in identifying areas which may need future attention.
2. Supragingival cleaning – The dentist will thoroughly clean the area above the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and calculus.
   
3. Medication - Following the supragingival cleaning, an antibiotic or antimicrobial rinse can be placed in the gum pockets to reduce inflammation and bleeding.  These rinses promote fast and healthy healing of the gum tissue.

Prophylaxis is recommended twice annually as a preventative measure.

Teeth Cleaning & Prophylaxis Treatment is available  in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Covina, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Claremont, Azusa, Walnut, Monrovia, Irwindale and Duarte.

If you have questions or concerns about prophylaxis or periodontal disease, please contact our practice.