DENTAL CLEANINGS
Dental cleanings and oral hygiene care starts at home.
It is essential for patients to brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
Dental cleanings (prophylaxis) at the dental office normally consists of using a prophy cup and paste.
Sometimes a patient may have some calculus that needs to be cleaned off with a specialized instrument.
WHAT IS A DEEP CLEANING AND DOES EVERYONE NEED IT?
A deep cleaning is called scaling and root planing.
This means the dentist will clean below the gum line and remove calculus (build-up).
Not everyone needs a deep cleaning.
A deep cleaning is needed in patients who have periodontal disease (gum disease).
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED A CLEANING?
Healthy gingival tissues need a cleaning every 6 months.
Patients with periodontal disease need a cleaning every 3 or 4 months.
CAN I USE A WATER PIK?
A water pik may be used at home as an adjunct to dental floss, but does not replace flossing.
WHAT KIND OF TOOTHPASTE AND TOOTHBRUSH DO YOU RECOMMEND?
We recommend "soft" bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that has fluoride and is not too abrasive to teeth.
SHOULD I USE MOUTHWASH?
Mouthwash with fluoride is recommended, sometimes patients are prescribed a prescription mouthwash in certain cases.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL CLEANINGS AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16914-oral-hygiene
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21482-gum-periodontal-disease
