Dental Cleanings & Hygiene
Keeping Your Teeth Clean
Regular hygiene appointments help lay the foundation to optimal oral health. Our team has amazing licensed dental hygienists that will thoroughly clean your teeth and gums by removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and roots. Minor stains can also be removed during your hygiene appointments. For patients with relatively healthy gums, we recommend scheduling routine cleanings and exams every 6 months.
Great oral hygiene shouldn’t stop when you leave the dental office. Staying on top of your oral health at home is also very important. This is accomplished by daily brushing with a fluoride containing toothpaste and flossing.We recommend using a soft bristle electric toothbrush. Using a toothbrush with coarse bristles can wear away the gums quickly. Flossing is also very important. We recommend flossing at least one daily before bed to help get rid of plaque, food particles, and bacteria that cannot be removed by brushing alone.
Types of Dental Cleanings
There are two main types of dental cleanings, oral prophylaxis and scaling & root planning.
Oral Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is typically completed for patients with relatively healthy gums. We determine which type of dental cleaning you need by measures the gums levels around each tooth. If you have ever heard you hygienist count numbers before, they are measuring your gum levels. Typically, gum levels less than 3 millimeters are considered healthy and gum levels more than 4 millimeters can be improved. Although this is typical, it depends on the individual patient and we will work with you to create an oral health plan custom to you. Our hygienists are amazingly gentle and thorough! Call us today at 253-864-0310 to schedule and exam and cleaning today.
Scaling and Root Planning
When left untreated, gum disease can have poor effects on your dental and overall health. Bone loss around teeth can lead to premature tooth loss without proper treatment. Scheduling regular checkups and cleanings with us is essential to prevent this. We offer deep cleanings (aka scaling and root planning) to help flush out buildup and debris below the gums, thus allowing you to keep your gums healthy and fresh. Without this treatment, the gums will stay inflamed, leading to bleeding, bad breath, sensitive teeth, and loose teeth. After your scaling and root planning is completed, we will recommend you continue your treatment long term with cleanings called periodontal maintenance appointments to ensure your gums stay healthy longterm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth Cleanings in Puyallup, WA
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It refers to the habit and actions of maintaining good oral health to prevent long term dental problems. Preventative dental care involves the combination of regular dental exams, great oral hygiene habits, and healthy lifestyle habits.
A few example of preventive dental care include:
Regular dental exams | Visit a dentist at least twice yearly for routine exams and cleanings.
Brushing and flossing | Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with daily flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles from around the teeth and gums, helping to prevent cavities and gum disease progression.
Healthy Diet | Limiting sugary and acidic foods helps to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Fluoride | Using toothpaste and mouth rinses containing fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.
Night guard | Wearing a night guard helps to slow and prevent tooth wear and bone loss around teeth.
We can’t wait to meet you!
We look forward to speaking with you. Call (253) 864-0310 or request an appointment online to schedule your first visit with us. We’ll be in touch with you soon!
Visit your local Puyallup Dentists