Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning
One of the services offered by Dr. Colleen Bullard at Comprehensive Dentistry in Ypsilanti, MI is the cleaning of your teeth. Sure, you brush and floss at least twice a day. You take good care of your teeth between visits to see Dr. Bullard. But a cleaning is a great way to ensure that you maintain a healthy mouth. There are two types of dental cleanings. Regular cleanings, and deep cleanings. Just what is the difference between the two type of cleanings, and which is the right choice for you?
Regular Dental Cleanings
Most of us require routine teeth cleanings. These can be considered to be preventative cleanings that help to maintain your healthy mouth. Routine cleanings are most often done in Dr. Bullard’s office, every six months. During your visit an evaluation of your dental health will be done. Your gum tissue will be measured in order to ensure that there is no sign of active periodontal disease. If there is no sign of the deep pocketing and below gum line tartar that can contribute to periodontal disease, then you’ll be able to proceed with your regular cleaning. During the cleaning procedure, a scaler will be used to remove any plaque and above the gum line tartar, with special attention paid to the areas between your teeth. No pain should be felt during this part of your cleaning, but you may hear and feel a bit of scraping against your teeth. Once your teeth are free from tartar, the hygienist will polish your teeth with a gritty-like toothpaste and a type of electric toothbrush. After this you may get a professional flossing, which is a great way to get that all-over clean and fresh feeling. A fluoride rinse may be the last step.
Deep Dental Cleanings
A deep cleaning is much more of an involved dental procedure that will address periodontal inflammation and disease. Gum disease has the potential to impact your jaw bone, and also lead to total tooth loss. In addition, the harmful bacteria involved in gum disease can also make its way into your blood stream and have a negative impact on your heart and other internal organs. Dental intervention is vital in order to halt gum disease, and to treat your current areas of concern. During the deep cleaning procedure you may need to be numbed by the dentists, whereas numbing is most often not needed for routine cleanings. The removal of tartar that has built up below your gum line may not be comfortable, so numbing will offer comfort during the procedure. Dr. Bullard may use localized antibiotics, and other products to help flush out the infection. You may require several appointments to treat your periodontal disease, and also may need maintenance cleanings to ensure that a relapse of the disease doesn’t occur.
Your Ypsilanti, MI dentist, Dr. Colleen Bullard will help you to keep your mouth healthy, your teeth clean, and definitely give you some great reasons to smile. Be sure to make your appointment with Comprehensive Dentistry to schedule your next cleaning.