Oral Prophylaxis

Whatever your age, you should have healthy teeth. Taking care of your dental health isn’t just about having a nice tooth. When your oral health is good, it will improve your overall mental, emotional, and physical health. One such procedure which keeps your gums healthy, and firm is ORAL PROPHYLAXIS – halts the progression of gingivitis & periodontal disease. We dentists call it scaling (teeth cleaning).

Basically, it is a cleaning procedure used to remove infected deposits like plaque, calculus, and stains from the tooth surface. If such deposits are not removed by scaling, it can cause infection and loosening of your gums, which eventually leads to tooth loss. It is the safest and most routine procedure carried out in our Dental Care Professionals Clinic. This procedure does not damage the tooth surface in any way.

Necessity of oral prophylaxis:

Though you take good care of your teeth at home, this appointment is utmost important. Even you may wonder…. Is it that important?? What’s so special about the appointment?? Can’t we maintain our teeth healthy??

Yes, of course, you can maintain good health of your teeth at home. But many a times what happens is that the dental problems go unnoticed in the early stages. You might ignore any visible signs, or you don’t feel pain. Oral Prophylaxis appointment helps our dentist to diagnose any dental problems at an early stage.

“Earlier the diagnosis, earlier the treatment and lesser will be the complications/problems.”

During an early stage, when you have, say, a tooth cavity, you won’t feel pain at all. But our dentist will most likely able to diagnose this cavity in prophylaxis appointment and repair it before it gets worsened.

Benefits:

• Plaque and Calculus removal
• Aesthetics
• Freshens the breath

Gum Diseases:

Improper oral hygiene associated with unhygienic habits can lead to disease of the gums and surrounding bone.

Treatment options available:

• Professional Cleaning (Scaling)
• Root Plannin
• Periodontal Flap Surgery

A Myth:

“SCALING CAN DAMAGE YOUR TEETH”

Yes, it is completely a myth. The fact is that scaling can improve your gum health and prolongs the tooth’s efficiency.

Root Planning:

This is mostly done in patients with chronic periodontal disease. It involves deep cleaning below the gums to remove plaque and tartar buildups on the roots of the teeth

It involves complete removal of cementum, which is the calcified material that covers the tooth’s root.

It eliminates the infected tooth structure and smoothens the root surface and aids in reattachment.

Deep cleaning involves laser gum treatment, and it won’t be painful because a local anesthetic will be administered before beginning the procedure.

Scaling:

• This is done to remove calculus that may develop even with careful brushing. These deposits if not removed at the right time, it can lead to periodontal disease.
• In periodontal disease, the pocket that develops between tooth and gums begins to deepen and provides an environment for anaerobic bacteria to grow. The bacteria begin to multiply rapidly leading to destruction of gums and supporting bone around the tooth. This finally leads to loosening of tooth which will progressively result in tooth loss.
• To avoid this destructive process, scaling should be done which will maintain the health of periodontal tissues.
• We at Dental Care Professionals provide you with an advanced and most innovative approach in gum care treatment.

Signs and Symptoms:

These symptoms may not be noticed during earlier stage

• Plaque and Tartar buildup
• Soreness of Gums
• Red and Swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Gum recession
• Multiple loose teeth
• Discomfort and itchiness around the infected area

How Scaling is performed???

It is usually done with the help of ultrasonic scalers. These scalers are designed with a handpiece to which variety of tips can be attached depending on the area of teeth to be cleaned.

How often?? – Frequency of Scaling:

Routine dental checkup should be performed every 6 months. It also depends on the person’s oral hygiene. Our dentists at Dental Care Professionals will schedule appointments according to your oral hygiene status.

High Risk Groups:

Scaling needs to be done for every three to four months for persons falling under these categories:

• People who are chain smokers/ addicted to smoking.
• Persons with weakened immune system
• Persons with diabetes
• Persons who maintain improper oral hygiene

“Dental Prophylaxis – a preventive measure – keeps you healthy and your Smile brighter."