Dental Cleaning
Seattle, WA
When our patients come visit our office for their biannual appointment, they will have a cleaning performed in order to maintain their oral health for the next six months. It is an opportunity to remove any plaque or tartar that has built up and for our patients to get some helpful advice from our Seattle dentist on how to brush better. Even if our patients have not been to our office in some time, we can accommodate a cleaning for their dental health. Summit Dental Care can help maintain your oral health with biannual cleanings.
Routine Dental Cleanings
A patient will have a prophylaxis, also known as a routine cleaning, to rid the mouth of harmful bacteria and to protect it for the coming months. Even when we brush our teeth twice a day for two minutes, plaque and tartar can still build up in difficult to reach places such as the areas between our teeth. The cleaning will begin with a mirror and scaler, as the dentist thoroughly cleans the oral cavity.
Our team will identify where the patient has the most difficulty cleaning their teeth, as our team can see where plaque has built up. Our professionals will advise the patient on how to care for their teeth more effectively. The dentist will use a high-powered electric toothbrush. This toothbrush will provide a more intense cleaning than our patients are accustomed to at home; this toothbrush will remove any tartar or plaque remaining. This is safe to do once every six months; any more usage could risk damaging the enamel. A professional flossing is offered by our dentists to give an expert cleaning to the patient’s teeth.
Our dentist can give advice on flossing techniques, to support the patient’s cleaning at home. Fluoride treatment is the final part of the cleaning in order to better protect the teeth for the coming months. Routine cleanings take approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the condition of the patient’s oral cavity, and the cleanings will be done at routine check-ups and before a surgery or procedure.
Other Cleanings
Gross debridement is a form of cleaning used on patients who have not visited our oral surgery in some time. It is a more intense form of cleaning compared to the routine cleaning, as the patient will have hardened plaque that is more difficult to remove. Gross debridement is used when there is too much plaque and tartar for a proper assessment of the patient's oral health to take place. Scaling and root planing is often used for those who suffer from periodontitis, an incurable form of gum disease.
This is an intense cleaning that is used to discourage the growth of bacteria to and limit the diseases impact on the mouth. It involves the removal of gum tissue, the smoothing of the gums, and the close monitoring of the patient's oral health.
Summit Dental Care offers cleanings for patients who regularly visit our office or for those who have not been in some time. Cleanings support your oral health, and we can help support your cleanings at home. To book an appointment for dental cleanings in Seattle, call our office at 206-292-9980!
