Dental prophylaxis, or professional teeth cleaning, plays a crucial role in maintaining overall oral health by removing plaque, calculus, and stains that regular brushing and flossing might miss.
At Lakefront Family Dentistry, we understand the importance of preventive dental care for all ages, providing comprehensive prophylaxis services that ensure our patients maintain healthy, beautiful smiles.
What is Prophylaxis?
Prophylaxis is a preventive dental treatment aimed at maintaining your oral health and preventing dental diseases. It includes a series of procedures that clean your teeth thoroughly and help keep your gums healthy.
Prophylaxis involves several key procedures designed to preserve your dental health:
– Scaling: Removes tartar from above and below the gum line.
– Root Planing: Smooths root surfaces and removes infected tooth parts.
– Polishing: Final cleaning and smoothing of teeth to reduce future plaque buildup.
Scaling: This procedure involves carefully removing tartar (also known as dental calculus), which is hardened plaque that is firmly attached to the tooth surface and can be located above and below the gum line.
Scaling helps to remove these deposits without affecting the tooth structure. The process helps to prevent gum diseases by keeping the area beneath the gum line clean and free of tartar that can contribute to inflammation and gum disease.
Root Planing: This step goes hand in hand with scaling and focuses on smoothing the root surfaces of the teeth. By gently smoothing rough areas on the roots, root planing helps remove any remaining tartar and can also help reduce inflammation by removing bacteria that contribute to gum disease. This process creates a clean and smooth surface to help the gums reattach to the teeth, promoting a healthier and more stable gum line.
Polishing: After scaling and root planing, polishing completes the cleaning process. This procedure involves buffing the teeth with a soft, rotating brush or rubber cup applied with a special gritty toothpaste-like material.
Polishing smooths the surface of your teeth, making it more difficult for plaque to adhere and accumulate. This not only enhances the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, making them feel smooth and clean but also helps to reduce future plaque buildup, maintaining a healthier oral environment.
Together, these procedures make up dental prophylaxis, which is a crucial component of preventive dental care. Regular prophylaxis sessions help maintain oral health, prevent the progression of gum disease, and enhance the overall longevity of your teeth and gums.
By scheduling regular visits for dental prophylaxis, you are taking proactive steps to maintain optimal oral hygiene and overall dental health.
Recommended Ages and Frequency for Prophylaxis
Regular dental prophylaxis is not just for adults but is essential for everyone, from children to seniors:
Children: Early visits help prevent cavities and tooth decay, setting the stage for lifelong oral health.
Adults and Seniors: Ongoing care is crucial to manage and mitigate the risk of periodontal diseases and other complications.
Prophylaxis is typically recommended every six months, but some individuals might need more frequent visits depending on their oral health status.
Benefits of Regular Prophylaxis
The advantages of maintaining scheduled dental prophylaxis include:
Prevention of Oral Diseases: Reduces the risk of cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Cosmetic Benefits: Keeps teeth looking white by removing stains.
Overall Health Benefits: Good oral health helps prevent bacteria (fusobacterium nucleatum) from causing issues elsewhere in the body.
Risks of Neglecting Prophylaxis
Skipping regular dental cleanings can lead to several problems:
– Increase in Cavities and Gum Disease: Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to serious dental issues.
– Bad Breath: Accumulated bacteria are a common cause of halitosis.
– Long-Term Health Issues: Poor oral health is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and other systemic conditions.
Increase in Cavities and Gum Disease
Cavities (Dental Caries): These occur when the acid produced by bacteria in plaque erodes the hard surface of the teeth. Without removal of plaque through regular cleanings, this erosion can lead to small holes in the teeth, which may become larger and affect deeper layers, causing toothache, infection, and even tooth loss.
Gum Disease (Periodontitis): Gum disease starts as gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily. If not treated, it can advance to periodontitis, leading to the gums pulling away from the teeth, forming spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that holds teeth in place. If not addressed, this can lead to the teeth becoming loose and may eventually result in tooth loss.
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Halitosis: This condition, commonly known as bad breath, can be embarrassing and socially inhibiting. It’s primarily caused by bacteria present on the teeth and tongue. These bacteria can produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) when they digest food particles and debris in the mouth, particularly proteins. Regular dental cleanings remove the plaque, leftover food particles, and bacteria that contribute to bad breath, thereby helping to keep the mouth fresh and odor-free.
Long-Term Health Issues
– Diabetes: People with gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar. As periodontal disease becomes more severe, it can increase blood sugar levels, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar level. This puts diabetics at increased risk for diabetic complications.
– Heart Disease: Research suggests that the inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria could be linked to heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke. Experts believe that oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect heart arteries, potentially causing arterial plaque build-up and arterial narrowing.
– Other Potential Systemic Conditions: Poor oral health has also been linked to other systemic health conditions, including respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with periodontal disease. In osteoporosis, there is a potential link between bone loss in the jaws and decreased density of the bone that supports the teeth.
Understanding these risks underscores the critical importance of maintaining regular dental prophylaxis appointments at Lakefront Family Dentistry. By doing so, not only are you safeguarding your oral health, but you are also taking a significant step towards improving your overall health and quality of life.
Lakefront Family Dentistry’s Approach to Prophylaxis
At Lakefront Family Dentistry, our team of registered dental hygienists uses a gentle touch combined with decades of experience to provide top-notch prophylaxis services:
– Experienced Staff: Our hygienists are skilled in advanced cleaning techniques that ensure comfort and effectiveness.
– Patient Education: We emphasize the importance of regular cleanings and proper at-home dental care.
Advanced Dental Technology
Dr. Derek Hauser and Dr. Mark Phillipe utilize state-of-the-art technology to enhance our dental care services:
– CEREC Technology: Allows for same-day dental restorations, reducing the need for multiple visits.
– In-House CEREC Milling Machines: We create precise fittings for crowns and other dental appliances right in our office.
Patient Education and Prophylaxis
Education is a cornerstone of our approach to dental care:
– Effective Oral Hygiene Practices: We teach our patients the best ways to brush and floss to prevent dental issues.
– Customized Care Routines: Each patient receives tailored advice to keep their unique smile bright and healthy.
Prophylaxis is more than just a dental cleaning; it’s a preventive measure that protects against potential dental issues and maintains your overall health. At Lakefront Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing this essential service to families in our community, ensuring that each visit leaves you healthier and happier.
Request a Professional Teeth Cleaning Appointment.
Do not wait for dental problems to arise. Schedule your next prophylaxis appointment with Dr. Derek Hauser or Dr. Mark Phillipe at Lakefront Family Dentistry today and take a proactive step towards maintaining excellent oral health for you and your loved ones.
Call (951) 244-9495 or Request an Appointment through our Secure, HIPAA Compliant Dental Form.
