Hygiene/Periodontical Care
Deep Cleaning Therapy-Scaling and Root Planing
Deep cleaning of the teeth is achieved through processes known as scaling and root planing. A dental cleanse is a rather routine dental visit that involves the removal of plaque, also known as scaling, which removes plaque (a film covering the teeth that may be infested with bacteria) and hard calculus deposits known as tarter from the surface of the teeth.
A dental hygienist often uses a dental tools (picks, scalers and curettes), as well as ultrasonic instruments that vibrate and remove large pieces of tartar from the tooth surface. The ultrasonic device makes a whistling noise that grates on the nerves of many dental patients, but doesn't hurt a bit. The tip of the ultrasonic instrument is rounded or curved, perfectly designed to remove tartar from the surface of the teeth and not dig into them. Root planing cleans between the teeth and below the gum line, often down to the roots.
The dental hygienist may clean one section of the mouth at a time; upper right or left quadrant, or lower right or left quadrant. Following the scaling and planing process, a polish is applied to the surface of the teeth. Cleaning each quadrant of the mouth may take between 15 minutes and 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the condition of the teeth.
Oral Hygiene Instruction
This combined procedure's primary purpose is to educate and train the patient with a hands-on approach in order to develop excellent oral hygiene skills for a better controlling the cause of periodontal disease (bacterial plaque). A prophylaxis (regular dental cleaning and polishing) is done simultaneously to remove deposits of plaque, calculus, stain from the surfaces of the teeth that are above the gum to facilitate development of better home care techniques.
- For thorough but gentle cleansing, use a soft toothbrush
- Hold your brush at a 45° angel. Begin by brushing the outside of the front teeth. Use a gentle back-and-forth motion.
- Next, brush the outside back teeth, starting along the gumline.
- Inside back teeth. Use short, angled brush strokes.
- Inside front teeth. Tilt the brush vertically; use an up-and-down motion.
- Chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat. Use a gentle scrubbing motion.
Regular 6 month checkup cleaning
People are always encouraged to get a dental cleaning & check up every six months. Tobacco, alcohol consumption, diabetes, pregnancy, periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene and certain medical conditions are some of the factors that Dr. Gavin takes into consideration when deciding how often you need your dental cleaning & check up. A cleaning will usefully consist of the following:
- scaling, often done by hand to or remove plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces.
- root planning, or clean perio (early signs of gum disease) pockets to stop further gum problems.
- polish, (used to remove heavy stains if any) or the finishing touch of rubbing on the surface of the teeth.
Going to your regular check ups will help to keep your gums and teeth healthy as well as detect any early problems such as gum disease, oral cancer and cavities. The best way to maintain good oral health is to visit your dentist on a regular basis.