What is a Periodontal Cleaning?

Periodontal cleanings are not the same as “normal” or “regular” teeth cleanings. Prophylaxis is a clinical word for “regular” teeth cleaning. This implies that the teeth are cleansed to prevent illness from forming. We cannot do a tooth cleaning that claims to avoid periodontal disease if it is already present. To cure it, we need to clean our teeth.

Periodontal Cleaning Procedure

Diagnosis

Before doing a periodontal cleaning, the dentist or dental hygienist must first identify periodontal disease. An oral examination, measurements of the gum and bone attachments to the teeth, and dental x-rays are used to make this diagnosis.

The dentist diagnoses periodontal disease when the essential connection to the teeth is lost. This loss of adhesion is caused by a buildup of germs behind the gums.

Treatment

A periodontal cleaning treatment aims to eradicate any bacterial collection behind the gums. In addition, a periodontal cleaning provides a “clean slate” for each tooth, allowing the body to repair the regions of inflammation and illness produced by germs.

Treatment in Two Steps

A full mouth periodontal cleaning usually necessitates two different dentist appointments. This may be influenced by your dental insurance policy, which may only cover two quadrants (or one-half) of the mouth at a time. Cleaning one-half of the mouth at a time has two benefits:

You will not experience complete tongue numbness if you require anesthesia for the treatment.

You will notice a change in your mouth between the “clean” and “dirty” sides between your first and second visits. Therefore, it is critical to understand how “clean” feels!

Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotics are also used in our periodontal disease treatment to assist in eliminating germs and letting your body repair more efficiently. We insert a tiny antibiotic called Arestin directly into regions of deep pocketing in the gums as part of the periodontal cleaning operation.

We will prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse with specific instructions for usage at the end of your treatment. This step assists in keeping bacterial levels at a reasonable level while your gums recover.

Home Health Care

The dentist’s task is over after the periodontal cleaning is completed. The patient now has the ball in their court. You now must maintain your teeth clean.

Bacteria accumulates on our teeth daily. Therefore, you will commit to taking exceptional care of your teeth unless you want the money, time, and energy put into your periodontal cleaning to go to waste. Brushing twice daily, flossing nightly, and using any suggested or prescription mouth rinses are all part of it.

Maintenance

Keeping the slate clean also entails regular professional tooth cleanings with your dental hygienist. Most people with periodontal disease should have their teeth cleaned every three months.

These regular cleanings are known as “periodontal maintenance cleanings.” They keep the tooth surfaces under the gums clean and prevent bacterial accumulation, avoiding periodontal disease recurrence.