What is Dental Prophylaxis?

What is Dental Prophylaxis?

Dental prophylaxis helps to prevent some of the most common and serious problems of teeth and gums from appearing․ A dental prophylaxis consists of the removal of plaque‚ calculus, or tartar‚ and some stains from the outside surfaces of the teeth that tooth brushing and flossing cannot remove․ The appointment is a proactive approach to dentistry that can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy․

Because your mouth is packed with bacteria‚ a sticky buildup made of bacteria‚ food‚ and saliva covers your teeth․ This buildup is known as plaque, and if it is not removed regularly, it can harden into tartar. When tartar accumulates along your gum line, it can provide an ideal breeding ground for other bacteria․

With tools especially designed for this‚ your hygienist can safely remove even these deposits․ Scaling generally includes the surfaces of your teeth visible in your smile‚ the gumline‚ and the spaces between your teeth․ After tartar is removed‚ the hygienist may polish the teeth to remove surface stains and make them feel smooth․

Another reason for prophylaxis addresses places you cannot properly clean at home․ Your toothbrush does not remove calcified tartar‚ and floss cannot reach every surface effectively․ Professional cleaning fills this gap‚ removing deposits that remain even with regular home cleaning․

Prophylaxis is typically best for patients with relatively healthy gums or those without active periodontal disease requiring specialized treatment․ If your dentist identifies deeper gum pockets or active periodontal disease‚ a prophylaxis may not be enough to adequately address the underlying condition․ Instead‚ you may need periodontal maintenance‚ or a deeper periodontal cleaning method based on your needs․

In addition to cleaning your teeth‚ your dentist or dental hygienist will screen for early signs of gum disease: any irritation‚ bleeding‚ recession‚ tooth wear‚ or other changes on your gums or teeth․ These signs can indicate early problems and make it simpler to determine whether further assessment or treatment is required․

How often you need prophylaxis depends on your oral health and risk factors․ For individuals with healthy gums‚ dental cleanings twice a year may be sufficient․ Others may need more frequent cleanings․ Your dentist may base the recommended frequency on your history of cavities and the condition of your gums and plaque․

Other good oral health habits between dental visits include brushing twice a day and daily flossing to remove plaque before it has a chance to harden into tartar․ If you have difficulty cleaning these areas‚ your dentist may recommend certain brushes‚ flossing aids‚ or other dental products․

A professional oral cleaning does not replace daily oral hygiene‚ but rather complements it by removing deposits that are not easily accessible to home oral hygiene practices․ Regular prophylaxis appointments‚ along with brushing and interdental cleaning at home‚ help to lower the risk of dental disease․

If you have more questions about periodontal maintenance or how it could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if periodontal maintenance is a part of the best treatment plan for you.

Related Article: Periodontal Maintenance Procedure