The Complete Guide to Dental Cleanings: Types, Benefits, and In-Office Procedures

Many people assume that by brushing and flossing every day, they can maintain good oral health and avoid going to the dentist altogether. With 36% of adults experiencing some degree of dental anxiety and over 50% of Americans reporting that they can’t afford their dental care, there are multiple reasons why this might be your goal.

However, regular dental cleanings allow experienced professionals to monitor your oral health and prevent issues before they become serious. In the long run, regular cleanings will save you on dental expenses by keeping you ahead of oral diseases and maintaining a healthy awareness of your dental condition. If and when you do need more extensive treatment, the earlier an issue is detected, the easier and cheaper it will be to treat.

At Keys Dental Specialists, we pride ourselves on being the best Key West dentist in patient care, which we believe includes patient empathy. We understand our patients’ budget concerns and misgivings. In this article, we explore the different types of dental cleanings, including their benefits and procedures, to turn cleanings into something you’re happy to invest in rather than something you want to avoid.

Types of dental cleanings

Some dental offices use one-size-fits-all cleaning methods to treat their patients’ surface-level oral health concerns. However, an experienced dental provider will assess your unique needs and choose a cleaning method that matches your situation.

There are four main types of dental cleanings that we want to review: prophylaxis, gross debridement, root planing, and periodontal maintenance. For the vast majority of dental patients, one of these procedures will provide the treatment they need.

• Prophylaxis cleaning: “Prophylaxis” is a word that is not commonly used to describe dental cleanings since the alternative is more familiar: “routine cleaning.” Routine cleanings allow providers to monitor your dental health and resolve the light buildup of plaque and tartar consistent with daily wear and tear. The hygienist or dentist will scale, polish, and floss your teeth after conducting an oral exam.
• Gross debridement: Dentists use gross debridement to remove significant plaque and tartar for patients who have not seen their dentist in a while. A gross debridement or “deep cleaning” will allow the dentist and hygienist to examine the buildup on your teeth, gums, and even tongue and return it to normal levels. After finishing, you may also receive a prophylaxis cleaning in the same visit to maintain your health until the next visit.
• Root planing and scaling: Root planing and scaling refers to a deeper cleaning below the gumline. Beneath the gums, plaque can build up and lead to gum inflammation or disease. A scaler is a dental instrument that uses ultrasonic waves to break up tartar. Once the surface is broken, the hygienist can gently scrape it off.
• Periodontal maintenance: Oral diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis can worsen over time without regular oral maintenance. Your dentist will recommend periodontal maintenance visits to control disease progression and ensure that the inflammation, swelling, bleeding, or pain doesn’t get worse.

Training requirements for dental cleanings vary by location, but most hygienists with an AA or BA in dental hygiene can perform these cleaning procedures. However, in many cases, periodontal maintenance will be handled by the dentist due to its more specialized nature.

Benefits of regular dental cleanings

At dental cleanings, your dentist will evaluate your oral health by taking X-rays to detect cavities or other structural issues. A visual exam will allow them to examine your condition more thoroughly and identify which cleaning type would be right for you.

The primary benefit of dental cleanings is this review of your oral health status by an experienced professional. This allows you to stay a step ahead of any conditions that can develop, such as periodontitis, gingivitis, and more. Plaque and bacteria buildup by themselves can be easily treated and prevented, but once they progress into a diagnosable oral health condition, they can become lifelong struggles with pain, inflammation, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.

Regular dental cleanings prevent this struggle by helping patients monitor and maintain their oral health condition. Yet, many people don’t realize that the benefits of regular cleanings go beyond oral health maintenance. In an age where insurance companies have inexplicably decided to insure our teeth separately from the rest of our bodies, many people have learned to think of oral health as separate from overall health. Whether subconscious or not, this premise is incorrect. Regular dental checkups can have proven health benefits beyond the structures they address directly, including:

• Lower risk for heart disease: Scientific studies have demonstrated that without regular cleanings, the bacteria that causes gum disease can fester and multiply until it enters your bloodstream through inflamed, bleeding gums. Once there, it can contribute to heart disease by causing inflammation in heart tissues and valves. Regular cleanings can therefore lower a patient’s risk for adverse cardiac events.
• Lower risk for dementia: The same bacteria that can enter the bloodstream from infected and inflamed gums can also contribute to inflammation in the brain, which can lead to dementia later in life.
• Lower risk for stroke: For the same reasons, bacteria from infected gums can cause inflammatory processes that increase the risk for stroke.

Many patients mistakenly assume that dental cleanings only fix cavities and surface-level issues. However, regular cleanings have a wider implication for overall health as unmanaged plaque buildup can become dangerous inflammation that leads to bacterial damage in other parts of the body. In the next section, we review the in-office procedures for dental cleanings to help you mentally prepare for your routine visit. We want to help you reap the health benefits of regular cleanings with less stress.

What to expect from your dental cleaning appointment

No matter which cleaning type you need, dental cleanings are routine procedures used by millions of patients every year to maintain their oral health. Here’s what you can expect from your dental cleaning appointment:

1. Exam: During the initial exam, the hygienist will inspect your teeth and gums for signs of disease, including gingivitis and obvious signs of cavities. They may also check on previous dental work to ensure it has been properly maintained. After this exam, the hygienist will know what type of cleaning you need for that visit. While you won’t need X-rays every time you get a cleaning, this is when they would be done if indicated. In most cases, a routine cleaning (prophylaxis) or deep cleaning (gross debridement) will take care of your plaque buildup. If another procedure is indicated, the dentist will walk you through it.
2. Scaling: The first step in a routine cleaning is scaling the excess plaque off the surface of your teeth. Even if you have a perfect brushing and flossing routine, you can’t completely prevent plaque buildup, which is why the scaler is important. This device, which can be an ultrasonic instrument or a physical device, can remove the plaque that brushing and flossing misses. Scaling tends to be the least comfortable part of routine dental cleanings due to the “scraping” sensation. Always communicate with your hygienist about how you’re feeling. A little discomfort may be warranted, but cleanings should never be painful.
3. Polishing: After scaling the plaque, your hygienist will brush and polish your teeth with toothpaste that contains gentle abrasives. This will help remove the rest of the surface plaque. They will then floss your teeth to further eliminate buildup. If fluoride treatment is a part of your cleaning appointment, this is the last thing your hygienist will do.
4. Consultation: After your routine cleaning has concluded, your dentist will perform a visual oral health assessment looking for issues such as gum disease and cavities. They will review your X-rays with you and may screen you for oral cancer at this time as well. They may recommend additional scans or tests if they notice something that should be explored further.
5. Follow-up: After the consultation, you will schedule your follow-up visit for your next cleaning based on your dentist’s recommendation. We recommend routine dental cleanings twice a year to properly maintain your oral health and spot any issues before they become serious.

These steps may differ depending on the type of cleaning you need. However, these steps represent the basic routine that nearly every patient will experience. Even those who need additional cleaning appointments will likely receive this basic cleaning as well to maintain their oral condition until their next visit.

How to maintain good oral health

No matter how routine and beneficial dental cleanings become, many patients still hope to avoid them. We want to emphasize that no amount of oral hygiene can eliminate the need for dental cleanings since dentists have experience and tools that you lack at home. However, a balanced oral health regimen can make cleanings easier by reducing plaque buildup, preventing the onset of oral diseases, and avoiding more specialized cleaning procedures.

Here are a few tips on managing your plaque levels in the months between cleaning visits:

• Brush properly: Brush twice a day for at least two minutes, addressing each side of every tooth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, preferably mechanical, with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Avoid using too much pressure as this can wear away your enamel layers, leading to sensitivity.
• Floss properly: Many patients only floss once in the gap between each tooth, not realizing that the gum barrier between teeth (“papilla”) has two sides. Floss against the side of each tooth by angling the floss toward one and then the other to ensure that you remove any debris collected there.
• Use mouthwash: A mouthwash containing fluoride is a great addition to any daily dental health regimen. Simply swish a mouthful for around 30 seconds to a minute and spit (never swallow). This helps keep the bacteria levels low in other parts of your mouth, such as your palate and tongue.
• Use a water flosser: Water flossers or Waterpiks can be used to supplement brushing and flossing, though they cannot replace them. Use these devices with slightly warm water. Set the pressure depending on your gum sensitivity. Consider pouring some mouthwash in the basin to reap even more benefits.
• Eat properly: Highly sugary or acidic foods can wear out your vital enamel layers while crunchy, sticky, and hard foods can damage teeth and dental appliances. Adding healthy, crunchy vegetables and fruits to your diet such as carrots, apples, and celery can give your jaw and tooth enamel a healthy workout instead.
• Eliminate alcohol and tobacco: Alcohol and tobacco are hard on your teeth and often lead to oral cancer and gum disease. Take control of your habits by putting your oral health first.
• Schedule regular dental cleanings: The most effective step in any oral health routine is scheduling regular dental cleanings with an experienced dental professional. No matter your lifestyle habits, they will be able to monitor your health status, spot issues early, and give you the personalized treatment you deserve.

Visit Keys Dental Specialists for Advanced Restorative Dentistry

At Keys Dental Specialists, we pride ourselves on being the best Key West , FL dentist in the fields of maxillofacial surgery and restorative dentistry. Our surgeon, Dr. Eberle, is double board-certified in providing complex dental implant restorations including root canals, jaw and facial reconstructions, dental implants, bone grafts, corrective jaw surgeries, and more.

Our team of specialists is committed to helping you find the level of care you deserve. Feel free to contact us so we can help you get on the right track to discovering (or rediscovering) your ideal smile.