New patients of Dr. Fred Wong’s Glendora dental practice might be surprised by recommendations given to them regarding dental cleaning. At some dental offices, dental cleaning appointments are all created equal. But, at Blue Ocean Dentistry, during your initial exam, we may determine your dental health requires more frequent or even deeper cleaning than what other dentists and dental hygienists provide. For instance, you may need root planing or other periodontal measures in addition to a routine clean. On the other hand, if you floss and brush and carefully pursue preventative procedures, your teeth may require less intense dental intervention.
Standard Dental Cleaning
Known as Prophylaxis, a regular cleaning removes plaque, calculus and stains from the tooth structure. The hygienists use American Dental Association (ADA)-approved dental instruments including ultrasonic water tools to carefully but thoroughly scrape and remove deposits from teeth. This process is performed only on tooth structures that have not incurred bone loss. Old school of thought was that two cleanings per year were enough to take care of teeth. This routine developed on the heels of a 1940’s toothpaste ad. While some patients could potentially do with semi-annual cleanings, many benefit from more frequent cleanings. Depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, Dr. Wong and the hygienists at Blue Ocean Dentistry will recommend the frequency of cleanings your teeth require, which could be as often as four times per year or as few as once, annually.
How Tartar Develops
Plaque is a soft, sticky substance which forms on teeth when, no matter which types of foods you consume. Composed of bacteria and bacteria-by-products. if left untreated, plaque can cause tooth enamel damage and lead to cavities.Far more serious, unaddressed plaque will harden into Tartar, also known as Calculus. The first line of defense is to take good care of teeth to eliminate the risk of plaque buildup.
Regular Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
The most-often recommended treatment, regular cleaning, is recommended for people who do not have bone loss, periodontal disease or infections around their teeth. Candidates for this type of cleaning include people whose teeth do not bleed, move, recede so that gums pull away from teeth, or form gaps around the roots of teeth. In other words, people who have healthy teeth, gums and bones can typically do well with an annual or bi-annual standard tooth cleaning procedure.
Root Planing
This process removes bacteria and toxins, tartar and diseased deposits from the surfaces of tooth roots. Scraping or scaling covers the full length of the root surface, down to where the root, gum and bone meet. Root planing is typically one of the first steps in treating gum and bone disease.
Periodontal Maintenance
Patients who have periodontal disease may require root planing, to remove diseased deposits from the roots of their teeth. Other treatments, including surgery, may also be required, to arrest dental disease. Once the disease process is under control, routine dental cleaning is no longer sufficient. In this case, patients require ongoing gum and bone-care procedures, known as periodontal maintenance. These keep the mouth healthy and guard against recurrence.
About Dr. Fred Wong & Blue Ocean Dentistry in Glendora, California
Dr. Fred Wong and the staff at Blue Ocean Dentistry use the latest available dental treatments, equipment, and materials – all of which make a marked difference in our patients’ experiences. We are committed to helping our patients achieve optimal dental health. We creatively combine dental science and artistry — which can literally redesign your smile. Since even a subtle change in your smile will help you to project self-confidence and high self-esteem, we love helping you feel good about yourself. We deliver the finest dental care at the most reasonable cost and accept most dental insurance plans as well as CareCredit. For more about the dental treatment plans we offer or to schedule an appointment, call today (626) 852-6999.