Teeth Cleaning (Prophylaxis) in Wilsonville
Regular brushing and flossing is an important daily task in preventive oral health care, but it is only one preventive step.
Having your teeth professionally cleaned by a hygienist plays a vital role in having and maintaining a healthy mouth.
To completely eliminate plaque and tartar calcium deposits on the teeth, a professional teeth cleaning is needed at least once, if not twice a year.
At Boones Landing Dental Center, we use your time with the hygienist to remove harmful bacteria, evaluate the health of your gums, review brushing and flossing techniques, and discuss any additional preventive options that could elevate your oral health.
Advantages of Dental Cleaning
We can help you have better oral health, including teeth that will last you a lifetime.
A professional dental cleaning can be an extremely advantageous part of your oral health routine. Your dental cleaning appointment will generally include the following:
- Evaluation of Your Gums: The hygienist will evaluate your gums for symptoms of gum disease. Gingivitis and periodontal disease are terms that indicate some level of infection may be present. We will track and measure the depth of your gum pockets to determine how advanced the condition is. Measurements of 4mm or greater may indicate a problem. Treatment may include scaling and root planing as a starting point. If tissue loss has occurred, additional treatment may be necessary.
- Assessing Your Level of Decay: We will evaluate your current level of plaque and tartar buildup and make predictions about future development. These findings may indicate that additional preventive measures or more frequent cleaning appointments are needed.
- Removing Tartar Deposits: Most adult dental cleanings are completed using a tool known as an ultrasonic scaler. This device has a vibrating tip and releases a stream of oxygenated bubbles. As the bubbles burst on your teeth, they help loosen hardened calculus, which is then gently removed from the enamel. Some patients may find this process slightly uncomfortable; a local anesthetic can be applied if needed.
- Polishing: Once the teeth are free of plaque and tartar, we polish them with a rotary brush and specialized toothpaste. Polishing removes most surface stains that naturally accumulate over time. Patients interested in additional whitening can ask about professional teeth whitening. However, polishing does not remove intrinsic stains within the enamel, such as those caused by fluorosis or certain medications.
Dental cleanings are frequently followed with a dental exam. Your exam will include digital x-rays, and a physical examination of your oral cavity to look for anything that indicates disease or the development of harmful tissue including an oral cancer screening.
Contact Us
A dental cleaning is an important preventive step in your oral health. There are many patients who neglect their regular cleaning appointments due time restraints or a general dislike of dental work.
We want you to see you, contact us with your concerns and see what we can do to accommodate you. Preventing dental disease can save you considerable time in that chair and expense. For more information, contact our Wilsonville office at 503-682-3743.