Regular Dental Cleaning or Periodontal Cleaning?

Regular Dental Cleaning should be part of routine dental care. Regular cleaning, technically called Prophylaxis, is performed in the dentist office by a licensed dental hygienist and are normally scheduled every 3 to 6 months. A regular cleaning may also include x-rays and a dental exam. Regular cleaning focuses on removal of plaque, tartar, and stains that are present on the tooth crown (the part of the tooth above the gum line.) Plaque is a bi-product of bacteria and is a sticky substance that builds up on the teeth. Tartar, or calculus, is created when the plaque hardens.

There are times when the hygienist or dentist will recommend a “Deep Cleaning.” They may refer to it as Scaling and Root planing or Periodontal Cleaning. In a Periodontal Cleaning plaque, tartar, bacteria, and toxins are removed from below the gum line all the way to where the gum and bone meet. Periodontal cleaning is recommended when there are obvious symptoms of beginning or advanced periodontal disease which might include recessing gums, bleeding gums, or bad breath. Often the symptoms of periodontal disease can be unnoticed. Once your dentist has diagnosed the presence of periodontal disease, regardless of how advanced, periodontal maintenance cleanings and check-ups should be scheduled and will include general cleaning (prophylaxis) for overall dental health and appearance. These cleanings will be recommended every 3 – 6 months depending on the severity of the disease.
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Periodontal Cleaning and exam are important for identifying periodontal disease and to maintain the health of your gums and bone tissue, which is especially important if you have or plan to have dental implants and other restorative procedures. For more information or to schedule a periodontal evaluation, please call us at 352-596-1771. Improving our patients’ overall quality of life is our mission! 

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