Not every dental cleaning is the same. The type of cleaning you need depends on the health of your teeth, gums, and the bone that supports your teeth.
At Mowry Dental in Fremont and Las Positas Family Dental in Livermore, our dental teams evaluate your oral health to determine which type of cleaning is appropriate for you. Some patients may need a routine preventive cleaning, while others may need treatment for gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Understanding the different types of dental cleanings can help you understand what to expect at your appointment and why your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend a particular type of treatment.
Prophylaxis: Routine Dental Cleaning
A prophylaxis, often called a routine dental cleaning, is designed to maintain a healthy mouth. It is generally appropriate when your gums are healthy and stable.
During a prophylaxis, your dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from around the crown of the teeth and along the gum line. Your teeth may also be polished to remove certain surface stains.
Routine dental cleanings are an important part of preventive dental care because they help remove buildup that regular brushing and flossing may not completely eliminate.
Many patients with healthy gums have routine cleanings approximately every six months. However, the appropriate frequency can vary depending on your oral health and your dentist’s recommendations.
Scaling for Gingivitis and Gingival Inflammation
When gums are swollen, red, tender, or bleeding, a more detailed cleaning may be recommended.
Scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation involves removing plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. This type of cleaning may be appropriate when there is inflammation of the gums but the underlying bone levels are otherwise healthy.
The goal is to remove the buildup contributing to the inflammation and help the gums return to a healthier state.
If you notice bleeding when brushing or flossing, don’t assume that it is something you simply have to live with. Bleeding gums can be a sign of gingival inflammation and are worth discussing with your dental team.
Full Mouth Debridement: Removing Heavy Plaque and Tartar Buildup
A full mouth debridement is used when there is a significant amount of plaque and tartar buildup that makes it difficult for the dentist or hygienist to properly evaluate the teeth and gums.
Rather than being the final cleaning, a debridement is generally an initial step that removes heavy buildup and allows your dental team to get a clearer view of your oral health.
This type of cleaning may be recommended for someone who has not visited the dentist for an extended period of time and has substantial plaque and tartar accumulation.
Once the heavier buildup has been removed, your dentist can more accurately evaluate your teeth and gums and determine whether you need a routine cleaning, a more detailed cleaning, or periodontal treatment.
A full mouth debridement may therefore be followed by another cleaning or periodontal therapy, depending on what your dental examination reveals.
Scaling and Root Planing (SRP): What Patients Often Call a “Deep Cleaning”
Scaling and root planing, commonly abbreviated as SRP, is a periodontal treatment used for patients who have been diagnosed with active periodontitis.
Patients often refer to SRP as a “deep cleaning.” Unlike a routine dental cleaning, scaling and root planing involves cleaning below the gum line and treating areas affected by periodontal disease.
During SRP, plaque and tartar are removed from deeper periodontal pockets, and the root surfaces are carefully cleaned and smoothed. This helps remove the bacterial buildup contributing to inflammation and creates a cleaner root surface.
SRP may be recommended when periodontal disease is associated with symptoms such as:
- Deep periodontal pockets
- Inflamed, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Tartar buildup below the gum line
- Loss of bone supporting the teeth
- Periodontal attachment loss
The goal of scaling and root planing is to address the source of inflammation and help stabilize the gums and supporting structures around the teeth.
Depending on the extent of treatment needed, SRP may require multiple appointments. Local or topical anesthetics may also be used to help keep you comfortable during treatment.
Following scaling and root planing, your dental team may recommend ongoing periodontal maintenance to help manage your periodontal health.
Periodontal Maintenance: Ongoing Care for Gum Disease
Periodontal maintenance is specialized ongoing care for patients who have been treated for periodontal disease.
Unlike a routine preventive cleaning, periodontal maintenance focuses on monitoring and managing the health of the gums and supporting bone following periodontal treatment.
During a periodontal maintenance appointment, your dental hygienist cleans areas above and below the gum line while monitoring periodontal pocket depths and looking for changes in your gum health.
Because periodontal disease can be a chronic condition, ongoing maintenance is often an important part of managing it over time. Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend periodontal maintenance at intervals such as every three to four months, depending on your individual needs.
What’s the Difference Between a Regular Cleaning and a Deep Cleaning?
The biggest difference between a routine dental cleaning and a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is why the treatment is being performed and how deeply the teeth are cleaned.
A routine prophylaxis is generally performed to maintain healthy, stable gums. Scaling and root planing is a periodontal treatment used when active periodontitis has been diagnosed.
A full mouth debridement is different from both. It is primarily used to remove heavy buildup that prevents your dental team from adequately examining the teeth and gums.
The type of cleaning you need should be based on an evaluation of your teeth, gums, periodontal measurements, and overall oral health—not simply how long it has been since your last cleaning.
How Often Should You Get Your Teeth Cleaned?
There is no single cleaning schedule that is right for every patient.
Patients with healthy, stable gums may be able to maintain their oral health with routine preventive cleanings at intervals recommended by their dentist. Patients with a history of periodontal disease may require more frequent periodontal maintenance appointments.
Your dentist and dental hygienist can recommend an appropriate schedule based on factors such as:
- Your gum health
- Plaque and tartar buildup
- Periodontal pocket measurements
- History of gum disease
- Overall dental health
- Your individual risk factors
Following the recommended schedule can make it easier to identify changes in your oral health early and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
How to Maintain Your Teeth and Gums Between Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings are only one part of maintaining good oral health. What you do at home matters, too.
To help maintain your teeth and gums between appointments:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or another method recommended by your dental team.
- Follow any personalized oral hygiene recommendations from your dentist or hygienist.
- Schedule regular dental examinations and professional cleanings.
- Contact your dental office if you experience persistent bleeding, swelling, sensitivity, pain, or other changes in your mouth.
Regular dental visits also give your dental team an opportunity to evaluate your teeth and gums and identify potential problems before they become more serious.
Ready to Schedule Your Dental Cleaning?
Whether you’re due for a routine cleaning or have concerns about bleeding gums, tartar buildup, or gum disease, the first step is an evaluation of your oral health.
Mowry Dental in Fremont and Las Positas Family Dental in Livermore are here to help you understand your dental health and determine which type of cleaning is appropriate for you. Schedule an appointment with your dental team today to take the next step toward maintaining a healthy smile.
