Protect Your Smile with Routine Care
We recommend a routine cleaning twice a year to remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your teeth. This process, known as prophylaxis, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Here’s what you can expect from a routine cleaning:
- Comprehensive exam — We’ll examine your teeth and gums, looking for signs of tooth decay or periodontal disease.
- Colored mouthwash — Next, you’ll rinse with a colored mouthwash to highlight areas with bacteria buildup.
- AIRFLOW cleaning — Our AIRFLOW device uses warm water, airflow, and erythritol powder to remove the biofilm and stains from your teeth. It also polishes your teeth!
- Rinsing — Your hygienist will have you rinse your mouth; that’s all there is to it!
When a Deep Cleaning Is Necessary
If you have gum disease, a routine cleaning may not be enough; when that’s the case, we perform a deep cleaning, known as scaling and root planing. This procedure targets the areas below the gumline for anyone experiencing bleeding gums, bad breath, or gum recession.
Here’s what you can expect from a deep cleaning:
- Initial evaluation — First, we’ll assess your gum health and take any necessary x-rays.
- Biofilm removal — Next, you’ll rinse with a specialized dye solution, making plaque deposits visible. We’ll use the AIRFLOW device to remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline. This reduces the amount of bacteria buildup before the next step.
- Scaling and root planing — If necessary, we’ll use ultrasonic tools to remove the hardened tartar from the root’s surfaces and then smooth them out to encourage gum reattachment.
- Irrigation rinse — We’ll flush your mouth with an antibacterial rinse to promote healing.
- Care plan — Finally, we’ll discuss your ongoing treatment plan and offer tips on brushing and flossing.
