Prophylaxis / Teeth Cleaning

Prophylaxis refers to preventative medical or dental measures, rather than treatment or cure of an existing condition.  This is a major reason that semi-annual checkups include teeth cleaning to help prevent dental problems.

Bixby Knolls Dental Group recommends regular tooth cleaning by a professional dental hygienist every three-six months to remove tartar (plaque that has hardened and mineralized) build-ups that can develop no matter how diligent one is brushing and flossing.  This is especially true in those areas that are difficult to reach.

Professional cleaning or prophylaxis services include tooth scaling (use of a dental instrument to scrape away bacterial plaque) both above and below the gum line.  This is a patient's first line of defense against periodontal disease.  Tooth polishing, as the name suggests, uses a high speed electric brush and a polishing agent to both clean your teeth and brighten your smile.  If too much tartar, which forms in the presence of saliva, debris, minerals and plaque, has built up, then debridement is necessary.  Both dental hand instruments and ultrasound electric instruments may be used for this procedure.