Most patients get their teeth cleaned two to three times per year. However, there are numerous types of “teeth cleaning.” Patients with mild gingivitis get a different type of treatment (prophy) than those with periodontitis (gum disease). The primary reason for having your teeth cleaned is to decrease your risk of gum disease, thus also reducing your risk for other systemic problems such as heart disease, diabetes and various forms of cancer. So, how many times per year should you get them cleaned? This depends upon the patient’s long term goal for their teeth and their overall health. Some patients do just fine with having their teeth cleaned twice per year while others prefer to be seen four times per year. If it has been quite a while between cleanings, this is not to worry but it can take a little extra work to get everything back to healthy. It is not uncommon to fall out of routine cleanings with changes that happen in life such as moving, changing jobs, etc. We are here to help you achieve great oral health not to lecture people about missing their cleanings! Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Posts Tagged ‘root planing’
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
Monday, May 3rd, 2010What is a “deep cleaning?”
Monday, November 9th, 2009One of the most common reasons that patients visit our office is to get their teeth “cleaned.” However, there are many different types of services that include cleaning the teeth. For those without any bone loss or inflammation of the gum tissue, this is usually accomplished with what is called a “prophy.” This appointment typically lasts one hour and doesn’t require getting numb or using a laser. When a patient has lost bone and has periodontal disease (a more advanced form of gingivitis) it becomes more difficult to clean the teeth. The gum tissue around the teeth gets pocketing on the roots and allows the bacteria a perfect place to live and produce tartar. Thus, periodontal treatment or a “deep cleaning” may take more time, may require numbing for patient comfort, and sometimes we will utilize a laser to accomplish adequate cleaning of the root surfaces. In our practice, we routinely check the pockets on a yearly basis. Depending upon the results, we provide options of treatment that range from the most basic to the most thorough in order to accomplish the patient’s goals. Carson Kutsch www.drkutsch.com