Having your teeth checked every few months is essential to maintaining your dental health, making it necessary to schedule a dentist appointment. Your dentist will then perform prophylaxis, which involves taking preventative measures to avoid developing serious dental conditions. Prophylaxis may involve various processes, depending on your dental needs and any identified requirements.

Among these is tooth cleaning to prevent bacteria from developing and destroying enamel. Teeth cleaning is also essential, as it reduces the risk of a serious body infection from untreated bacterial invasions in the gums. You must partner with a skilled and experienced dentist upon deciding to have a teeth-cleaning prophylaxis check. Their role is to provide high-quality services that reduce the risks you may otherwise face when your condition remains untreated. They should also offer guidelines on maintaining your results after cleaning to achieve a lasting solution.

At Washington Dental, we aim to provide excellent teeth cleaning services as part of your prophylaxis check using the most efficient techniques applicable to our practice. Our team is also open to providing guidance and support before your procedure by informing you of what to do in preparation for your teeth cleaning process. We also understand the importance of providing all relevant information to help you follow through with treatment. With our help, you can worry less about developing complications related to bacteria spreading across your teeth. Our services are open to any client seeking thorough teeth cleaning in Lomita, California.

The Nature of Prophylaxis Teeth Cleaning Treatment

As a patient, you do not have to wait until a dental condition escalates to seek medical treatment. For example, you do not have to wait until you develop stubborn stains on your teeth. Based on this, prophylaxis treatment forms part of your regular checkups and serves as a preventative measure to eliminate any triggers or causes of serious dental conditions.

Your dentist applies their knowledge and analysis to your case to determine the most suitable prophylaxis process to prescribe during your visit by undertaking a physical examination. Teeth cleaning is often the most recommended procedure to undergo as a preventative measure, mainly because it eliminates the primary cause of tooth conditions among patients.

By removing food particles and stubborn plaque from your teeth, your dentist prevents bacteria from increasing and spreading across your mouth. The effects of a bacterial infection often create serious consequences, especially if you do not seek treatment early. For example, you may lose teeth and suffer gum disease as the bacteria attack healthy gum tissue.

In extreme circumstances, you may suffer a blood infection that attacks the whole body. This occurs when the bacteria spread from your mouth to the bloodstream, exposing other body organs to the bacteria. Some patients may face life-threatening conditions like sepsis, warranting urgent medical intervention.

Your dentist can prevent these complications by ensuring your teeth cleaning treatment is effective to prevent further dental complications. With an experienced dentist’s help, you can expect the results to last a long time, keeping you safe from severe conditions.

Why You Need Teeth Cleaning as Part of Prophylaxis

Oral health plays a significant role in your overall well-being, so cleaning is necessary to eliminate bacteria growing in hidden tooth pockets. As a maintenance procedure, tooth cleaning provides multiple benefits beyond preventing tooth decay from spreading. Some reasons to consider teeth cleaning as a prophylactic measure include the following:

  1. The Teeth Cleaning Procedure Helps Identify Dental Conditions

While you may schedule a teeth cleaning appointment to eliminate plaque and hidden food particles, you may have an unresolved dental condition requiring medical attention. Many patients miss the chance to have their requirements addressed because they do not present symptoms like discomfort or pain as soon as they arise. Despite this, your teeth are at risk of damage and infection, requiring your dentist to intervene.

Since teeth cleaning requires the dentist to conduct a physical check on your teeth, gums, tongue, and inner cheeks, they may identify some conditions and prepare you for treatment. They include:

  • Dental Erosion

Your teeth may become eroded after prolonged exposure to bacteria. It occurs when your gums or teeth have a severe infection from untreated tooth decay or gum infections, leading to several symptoms.

The dentist performing an examination can identify dental erosion if you have lost a significant part of your tooth surface, making the tooth chip into the dentine. Due to the erosion, your nerves and blood vessels remain exposed to external conditions, making you likely to suffer from pain and sensitivity.

The bacteria that spread can also cause bad breath because of the breakdown of sugars in your teeth. After the bacteria take in the sugar components, they release chemical wastes that build up to create bad breath. You may notice its persistence despite brushing, making it important to consult your dentist as soon as possible.

Dental erosion can cause a dry mouth because of the shift in pH and other conditions after a significant spread of bacteria. The condition is coupled with holes in your teeth, making it difficult to chew or bite until your dentist remedies the problem.

During the teeth cleaning, your dentist targets the affected area and removes all plaque and dead tissue to prevent bacteria from spreading. They do this gently to protect you from experiencing sharp pains from tooth sensitivity and to promote a smooth process overall.

  • Gum Disease

The bacteria on your teeth's surfaces can quickly spread into the gums, especially if you have an inconsistent cleaning routine at home. As a result, you may develop gum disease, resulting in various symptoms that your dentist can identify during the teeth cleaning prophylaxis session.

Among the various symptoms are loose teeth, which arise because your gums become too weak to support and nourish your roots. In severe cases, you may also experience tooth loss because the root cannot remain firm due to poor gum health.

Further, the bacteria may attack the sensitive inner parts of the tooth in the gums, causing tooth sensitivity. The condition occurs when the infection affects your nerves by exposing them to varying temperatures and other external conditions.

If so, you may need a more lasting treatment option beyond tooth-sensitivity toothpaste to protect the nerves. Your dentist can make recommendations during the teeth cleaning process, giving you a better chance of making a full recovery.

Gum disease also often manifests through swollen and bleeding gums, and in some cases, you may notice receding gums as the tissue dies away. The bacteria in your gums also cause bad breath, making teeth cleaning a necessary part of your treatment.

  • Indicators of Mouth Cancer

Cancer patients often discover the condition in its later stages, limiting their access to effective treatment options. To avoid this, you can schedule an appointment where your dentist performs a medical examination before cleaning your teeth to identify any possible signs of mouth cancer.

The common symptoms include small growths in different parts of your mouth, including your inner cheeks, tongue, and mouth palettes. Over time, the lumps may develop, requiring urgent dental surgery for their removal. You can avoid developing your condition by attending regular prophylaxis sessions and allowing your dentist to identify early symptoms.

  • Symptoms Associated With HIV/AIDS and Diabetes

If you are unaware of a developed condition like HIV or Diabetes in your system, your dentist can help identify it by running a physical examination during your teeth cleaning session. Sores in your mouth can help diagnose diabetes; a constantly dry mouth indicates Diabetes symptoms.

Based on your dentist's information, you can seek separate treatment for your conditions and avoid severe medical complications. Regular tooth grinding will maintain your dental health, even as you seek additional treatment.

  1. You Eliminate Bad Breath

Living with bad breath can affect your confidence and ability to participate in everyday activities, limiting your overall well-being. Thanks to your dentist’s intervention through teeth cleaning, you can gradually improve your condition and rebuild your confidence. You can also undergo regular checkups after the initial cleaning to ensure the condition does not return.

  1. You Remove Stubborn Stains to Achieve a Brighter Smile

A bright smile is also essential to helping you lead a well-rounded life, beginning with a thorough teeth cleaning session with your dentist. By removing hard plaque and tooth stains, your dentist will have removed harmful bacteria and helped restore your smile.

Persons in Need of Teeth Cleaning as Part of Prohylaxis Treatment

If you are still determining whether you qualify for a teeth cleaning, you want to visit your dentist and learn about your dental health and the recommended solutions they provide. While teeth cleaning is accessible to any patient, it is beneficial for you if:

You are Pregnant

Upon discovering your pregnancy status, you must make several medical decisions to ensure optimal health for your and the baby’s sake. The pregnancy term requires you to provide nutrients and a healthy growing environment for the baby, including checking that your teeth and gums are healthy.

Teeth-cleaning treatments are important to prevent bacteria from growing and spreading in your mouth and other body areas. If so, you would develop a severe bacterial infection that may compromise your immunity and prevent proper pregnancy development. You, therefore, need to seek these services for your well-being.

You Have Lasting Bad Breath

When you follow your daily brushing and flossing routine but still experience bad breath, it may be because bacteria has spread deep in your teeth or gums. Therefore, a thorough teeth cleaning session is necessary to help you identify the problem's primary cause and fix it. Once your dentist concludes the session, they will also provide aftercare tips to prevent the re-emergence of bad breath, so you need to follow the instructions.

You Experience Constant Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can indicate many possible dental conditions, including bacterial growth and spread in your mouth. By scheduling a teeth cleaning session, your dentist can identify the reason for the sensitivity and provide a solution by cleaning out the microbes and filling the exposed area. You will then experience gradual recovery over the next few weeks until the sensitivity recedes completely.

You Experience Regular Swelling on Your Neck and Face

Swelling around your mouth, neck, and face can also indicate the need for teeth cleaning, as it is often associated with an infection. When the bacteria spread to your neck and face, it usually shows that the condition worsens and warrants urgent medical attention. You can control the situation through tooth cleaning before your dentist recommends additional treatment measures.

The Processes To Undergo During Teeth Cleaning

Teeth cleaning can be a scheduled procedure or an urgent response to the symptoms and physical manifestations of bacterial infections in your gums and teeth. Based on this, your dentist will formulate a workable cleaning process to provide a remedy by performing several procedures. While all treatment processes are helpful, they do not necessarily apply to all patients.

The reason is that different patients present with varying conditions, making it important to provide customized treatment. The main processes you can expect to undergo before and during treatment are:

A Physical Examination

Examining your dental cavity is the starting point for any tooth cleaning procedure. Your dentist checks for cavities, tooth decay, discoloration, and stubborn plaque stains along the gum line to help them determine the intensity they should apply when cleaning.

A physical examination is also necessary because it may reveal additional information about your health. For example, as discussed earlier, sores and lumps can justify further treatment.

X-Ray and 3D Imaging

Patients experiencing severe bacterial invasion along the teeth and gums must undergo additional checks to determine the extent of the infection. Due to this, you may have X-ray images taken to establish whether bacteria has caused erosion on your jawbone. Further, the images can reveal how much you have experienced dental erosion on the enamel surface.

Similarly, 3D images provide a more vivid depiction of how serious your case is, giving your dentist a chance to introduce the most effective form of treatment. You can access the imaging services at the dental clinic on the same day you attend your initial consultation. Alternatively, your dentist may refer you to an approved third party for professional imaging services.

Cleaning on the Supragingival Level

When cleaning your teeth, your focus may remain primarily on the enamel surface and your tongue, leaving out the inner parts of the gums. As a result, these areas may develop plaque and other particles that harbor harmful bacteria.

Supragingival cleaning allows your dentist to remove tough particles and plaque by applying thorough cleaning motions. You do not have to worry about the pain and discomfort; your dentist uses special tools to optimize reach while upholding your comfort.

You may notice the positive effects of supragingival cleaning afterward if you previously had a white film on your gums, which has now disappeared. The removal of the film indicates a decrease in the calculus (hard plaque) levels, eliminating the possibility of an infection.

Cleaning on the Subgingival Level

Brushing and flossing may also be insufficient to remove stubborn particles stuck in between your teeth's pockets, increasing the chances of bacterial infection. The gum pockets surrounding your teeth may also hide particles tightly even when you use mouthwash or water floss, warranting subgingival cleaning.

During the process, your dentist carefully lifts the gum pockets around each tooth to clean the area. They use special tools to uphold efficiency and prevent gum injury, as the regions are sensitive to touch. Numbing agents are also available if your dentist intends to remove particles and plaque from deeper gum pockets to shield you from pain.

Bacteria Removal Along the Root

Thorough teeth cleaning also requires the dentist to remove bacteria from the roots of your teeth for complete treatment. The process is called root planing and requires extreme care to prevent injuries to the surrounding blood vessels and nerves along the root. Therefore, you want to partner with an experienced dentist to avoid root damage, which can kill your tooth.

Once the dentist removes all bacteria traces and cleans the surface along the root, they will seal the exposed area to prevent additional bacteria entry. They may do this by fitting the gum tissue back to its original position if they do not have to cut it off. On the other hand, they may make small stitches to seal the area and allow healing to begin.

Applying Anti-Bacterial Medicine to the Gums

After removing all the bacteria, your dentist should conclude the cleaning process by applying antibiotic medication along the gum lines. Doing so is critical because it prevents microbes from multiplying and spreading, which would cause the initial condition to resurface.

If you are allergic to antibiotics or are currently taking medication for other conditions, you want to inform your dentist before treatment. Sharing the information is essential because it protects you from an allergic reaction caused by mixing or taking harmful medicine. After receiving the details, your dentist can plan the most suitable dosage to alternate for your well-being.

Aftercare Tips to Consider After Teeth Cleaning

Upholding the results of your teeth cleaning process is essential to maintaining good dental health, so your dentist will provide several aftercare tips. You are responsible for observing all guidelines and reporting any concerns emerging after treatment to uphold your health. Some important aftercare tips to observe after prophylaxis teeth cleaning include:

Use Fluoride Toothpaste to Brush

Fluoride is a natural compound that helps prevent cavities by creating inhabitable conditions for bacteria to grow. By using fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily, you are in a better position to maintain proper dental health and avoid tooth decay and other complications. You can request that your dentist recommend an effective brand or ask whether your current toothpaste meets your dental needs.

Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco Products

Tobacco contains nicotine and tar, both harmful to your teeth after prolonged exposure. Smokers are more likely to develop tooth discoloration and weak gums, resulting in tooth loss and darker tooth appearances.

Similarly, alcoholic drinks expose your teeth to possible harm, especially if they contain additional chemicals known to cause erosion. Alcoholic beverages also contain sugars that may remain on your teeth for a long, exposing you to bacteria attacks. You can thus avoid tooth degeneration by reducing your tobacco and alcohol intake.

Floss Regularly

While brushing helps remove plaque on the tooth surface, toothbrush bristles do not reach particles stuck in tight spaces between teeth. Flossing is advisable to remedy this problem, as it prevents bacteria from occupying the holes and causing cavities and tooth decay.

Find a Dentist Near Me

Taking care of your teeth extends beyond brushing and flossing regularly and requires dental examinations at least twice a year. By scheduling a prophylaxis appointment, you can access preventative treatment because your dentist can identify any conditions you were unaware of. Teeth cleaning is one of the various ways to prevent dental infections by eliminating bacteria in the gum pockets and tooth surfaces. Since your dentist uses advanced tools and cleaning agents, you can gain multiple benefits from the procedure to help you uphold your overall well-being. With the help of an experienced and reliable dental team, you will also identify possible issues of concern and remedy them before they cause additional dental problems.

At Washington Dental, you will work with a dedicated team of dentists who understand the importance of a prophylaxis process, specifically teeth cleaning. Our years of experience have equipped us with the tools to prevent dental complications from bacteria attacking your teeth, gums, and nerves. With proper teeth cleaning, you can expect your dental health to improve significantly, ridding you of painful and uncomfortable symptoms. Your dentist also ensures you receive treatment to meet your specific medical needs, as your condition varies from another person's. If you or a loved one is seeking teeth cleaning as a prophylaxis treatment in Lomita, California, contact us at 310-326-5183.