Professional Teeth Cleaning/ Oral Prophylaxis

Teeth cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis or professional teeth cleaning, is a dental procedure performed by a dental hygienist or dentist to remove plaque, tartar (calculus), and stains from the surfaces of teeth. Here's what typically happens during a teeth cleaning appointment:

Regular teeth cleanings are essential for maintaining oral health and preventing dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. There are different types of dental cleanings, based on your needs. But all have the same end goal — to remove harmful bacteria and reduce your risk for dental issues.

 Prophylaxis. This is a routine, preventive cleaning for people who have healthy teeth and gums with minimal calculus and stain. It’s the most common type of dental cleaning. 

 Gross debridement. People who haven’t been to the dentist in over a year, or who have extensive plaque buildup, can benefit from a gross debridement. It’s similar to a typical prophylaxis, but it may take longer. The main purpose of debridement is to determine if there are any issues that weren’t initially diagnosed before the dental cleaning.

According to the American Dental Association, people should schedule teeth cleanings at regular intervals recommended by their dentist. For many people, this will be every 6 months. But that could change based on patient’s maintenance and gum condition.