Dental Cleanings

What is a dental cleaning?

Dental cleaning is a professional service the dental hygienist at LaSante Health Center performs with specialist equipment, tools, and products to target hard-to-reach areas and remove stuck-on plaque. The result is a thorough cleaning that’s impossible to achieve at home.

A regular cleaning schedule reduces the amount of work you need each time. It also allows your dentist to spot any potential issues before they develop into problems.

Do dental cleanings include other services?

Your hygienist cleans your teeth during a dental cleaning, but the dental professionals at LaSante Health Center go steps further. They perform diagnostic and preventive checks, too, including:

• Evaluating gum tissue
• Oral cancer screening
• Removing plaque and tartar
• Teeth polishing
• Removing stains
• Cleaning and adjusting dentures and partial dentures
• Fluoride application
• Reviewing and updating your medical history
• Gum disease analysis and treatment
• Checking your biting patterns

Your dentist may also offer educational services, such as nutritional or tobacco-cessation counseling, direction on how to brush and floss, and follow-up care instructions.

Of course, you can’t always preempt when you may need dental services, so LaSante Health Center provides same-day dentistry, too, such as fillings. And if you have a dental emergency, same-day appointments are available. 

What are the different types of dental cleanings?

Your provider has different cleaning procedures depending on the condition of your teeth and gums. They include:

Prophylaxis cleaning

Prophylaxis cleaning is suitable for people with a healthy mouth. It's the most common dental cleaning for those who visit the dentist regularly and removes plaque, tartar, and stains from the surfaces of your teeth.

Gross debridement

If you haven't had a dental cleaning in several years, you have a substantial amount of plaque on your gums and teeth. Your dentist uses gross debridement to deep clean this difficult-to-remove build-up. 

Root planing and scaling

Root planing and scaling involves deep cleaning the gums, gum line, and teeth. While non-surgical, it's a more invasive clean than prophylaxis cleaning. Dentists recommend it to people who have gum disease or gingivitis. The treatment may take place over more than one session because it involves smoothing the tooth root as well as removing tartar and plaque.

Periodontal maintenance

If you have serious dental problems, like gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease), your provider may recommend periodontal maintenance treatment. They continue treatment until your symptoms clear.

When you partner with LaSante Health Center dental professionals, you benefit from working with experts who make your oral health their priority. Call the practice today or use the website to make an appointment. Same-day emergency dentistry appointments are available.