Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? Does your breath smell? Then you a need “cleaning.” Not all cleanings are created equal. The types of cleaning you receive is based on the presence of active disease, neglect and past destruction to bones and gums.

You also may not know, that some people require more frequent cleanings. Cleanings can be done at three, four or six-month intervals based on an individual’s needs. There are many reasons you may need more frequent cleanings. You may have certain medical conditions that affect your oral health like diabetes or dry mouth (among other aliments), you may smoke or chew tobacco, you may be in braces or have poor oral hygiene, and you may have periodontal disease, hardened on plaque (also known as calculus) that is under the gum tissue or gingivitis.

A prophylaxis is the technical term for a “regular cleaning.” This type of regular cleaning removes plaque, external stains and calculus from the portion of the tooth you see. This cleaning is for those patients who have good oral health with no/minimal bone loss and healthy gums or those patients with gingivitis. Gingivitis is characterized by inflammation of the gums but does not result in bone loss.

You may have heard the term “deep cleaning.” A deep cleaning is known as scaling and root planning (SRP) to dental professionals. Deep cleanings remove calculus, bacteria and other toxic deposits from the root of the tooth, under the gums down to where the gum and bone meet. If you require a deep cleaning, then you have some form of bone loss and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a pain free process and most patients who have periodontal disease never know it. Dental professionals help to evaluate and help treat periodontal disease. Deep cleanings help to avoid premature tooth loss and is pivotal in controlling periodontal disease. Bleeding gums, bad breath, red gums, swollen gums and gum recession may be a result of periodontal disease.

You may also need a debridement. This type of cleaning is usually completed prior to any regular cleaning or deep cleaning when hardened on plaque (calculus) is so tenacious that a dentist/hygienist cannot collect accurate data to determine what condition your oral health is in. Additional appointments may be needed to completely get rid of the hard deposits on your teeth. These hard deposits need to be removed at regular intervals or they can cause bone loss, spreading of teeth, wiggly teeth, infection and premature tooth loss.

It is recommended by the ADA that everyone should visit the dentist at least twice per year to ensure optimal oral health.

The purpose of a teeth cleaning is to rid the teeth of harmful build-up of plaque and stains that may prevent a healthy smile. During cleanings we will:

• Remove tartar build-up on your teeth
• Remove plaque
• Perform teeth polishing to help remove light surface stains and prevent plaque from easily reattaching to your teeth

We can also help clean surfaces of your teeth that you may have missed during brushing and flossing. During your appointment, we will also:

• Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
• Check your bite and jaw for any problems
• Evaluate your risk of tooth decay and gum or bone disease
• Evaluate existing tooth restorations
• Screen for oral cancer
• Take dental x-rays if necessary

At Fede Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we are committed to helping you improve your oral health and keep your teeth for a lifetime. We try to educate you on different oral disease processes and give you the tools you need to combat these diseases.

We offer fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay for patients. Fluoride helps by making the tooth more resistant to the buildup of plaque and sugars. It can also speed re-mineralization as well as disrupt acid erosion in teeth.

Fluoride can be applied to the teeth as a gel, foam or varnish. According to the ADA, fluoride intake is often recommended for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. During this time, primary and permanent teeth are developing. Fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth.

Adults can benefit from fluoride as well to fight tooth decay and strengthen teeth. People with the following oral health conditions are more susceptible to decay and may especially benefit from fluoride treatment.

In addition to receiving fluoride treatment at Fede Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, it can be directly applied to the teeth through fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses. Mouth rinses containing fluoride in lower strengths are available over-the-counter.

Teeth, bacteria and food/drink are the only things you need to get cavities. There are certain factors that will increase your susceptibility to cavities. Factors like dry mouth, medications, poor oral hygiene, frequent snacking or sipping, diet and certain medical conditions are just a few that can lead to the breakdown of tooth structure.

These factors provide an environment that allow bacteria to thrive. Bacteria attaches to the tooth and produces acid. This acid causes tooth structure to breakdown and ultimately causes cavities.

Root surfaces are more prone to decay due to the absence of enamel. They are more porous (for lack of a better word) and are normally covered by bone and gums. Root exposure increases the likelihood of cavities and meticulous oral hygiene is a must.

Cavity formation can be a fast process depending on certain habits and factors. Radiographs (x-rays) help detect cavities as early as possible. Without routine x-rays, cavities can become extensive and most people will not have any symptoms until it is too late. Lack of pain is not a good indication of healthy teeth. In many cases, the extent of decay can cause the tooth to need substantial work to “fix” the tooth or even render it unsalvageable by the time symptoms develop.

Bleeding gums, bad breath, red gums, swollen gums and gum recession may be a result of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can be managed but not cured. Every patient is different in terms of severity and frequency of periodontal disease. You may have a mild, moderate or severe form and it can be located around every tooth in the mouth or localized to specific teeth. If you receive a deep cleaning, you will no longer receive prophylaxis “regular” cleanings. You will receive a periodontal maintenance cleaning. Periodontal maintenance cleanings address the crown of the tooth (the portion of the tooth you can see in the mouth), roots (the portion of the tooth beneath the gums), gums and bones. The time interval between cleanings will be determined by dental professionals based on the condition of your oral health.

Typically, a dental hygienist provides the different types of cleanings. If there is minimal improvement or additional treatments are needed to help increase your oral health, you will be referred to a specialist called a Periodontist. Periodontists are dentists who specialize in the foundation of teeth, bones and gums.

Gingivitis is a disease that can cause significant tooth and gum deterioration. A buildup of plaque and tartar allows bacteria to grow on the surfaces of the teeth. The bacteria will cause your gums to become inflamed and bleed. If left untreated, the condition will progress and worsen.

Treatment for gingivitis is simple and performed right at your dental office. Scaling and planing is performed without any anesthesia. While the procedure is usually painless, advanced stages of gingivitis may make it necessary to numb the area for comfort. Scaling is the removal of the dental tartar from the tooth surfaces, and root planing is smoothening the root surfaces and removing the infected tooth structure.