Routine Cleanings

A routine (every six months) professional teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist is needed to remove tartar (calculus) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and root plaining (removing plaque from visible portions of the tooth as well as portions of the tooth covered by the gums), polishing, and debridement (a cleaning procedure using ultrasonic instruments for tougher accumulations of tartar.)   Additionally, the hygienist will perform various digital panoramic and “bitewing” x-rays to check your mouth for bony growths and tumors, infections at the roots of your teeth, overall joint health, and early cavity detection.  Many oral problems, including cavities, may be present without initially causing pain but can be detected by an x-ray.  A professional cleaning can be accomplished with a single appointment.