Just a Cleaning??

I think a lot of people see a dental cleaning in the same light as having your car washed or having a super tooth brushing. But there is a lot more involved in a professional dental cleaning than meets the eye. It is much more than just a polishing of the teeth.

Dental cleanings involve removing the soft, sticky bacteria-infested film called plaque and the hard, chalky calculus deposits called tartar that have built up on the teeth over time. Usually the calculus deposits are tooth colored and can easily be mistaken as part of the teeth, but it also can vary from brown to black in color, depending on staining factors.

If the calculus is allowed to accumulate on the teeth it will provide a home and the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gums, causing periodontal problems. The purpose of the professional dental cleaning is to leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them.

A dental cleaning also involves an evaluation of the health of your gums and is your first defense against periodontal problems. That is important to your overall health. More and more studies are showing that poor periodontal health can lead to major health problems including an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, cancer, respiratory disease, and diabetes. Periodontal disease is the cause of most tooth loss – not decay and is one of the most widespread diseases in the world.

When you have a professional dental cleaning you may hear the hygienist or dentist call it a prophy. That is short for prophylaxis, the dental term for a cleaning. Prophylaxis is a Greek word that means "to prevent beforehand" - in this case, it helps prevent gum disease.