A dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is a very important aspect in oral health. Routine dental cleanings are the removal of harmful bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and gums.
Dental cleanings two times per year (typically every six months) can help prevent cavities and costly dental treatment. Dental cleanings are important to support your daily brushing and flossing to reinforce good habits.
The in-office dental cleanings are effective at treating hard-to-reach areas of your mouth and removing the tartar that you cannot remove on your own. Tartar, or calculus, can accumulate very easily and is too hard to remove with a toothbrush and floss.
Scaling removes the tartar build-up from the surfaces between the tooth and gritty paste polishes the surfaces of the teeth to remove staining and plaque accumulation.
Once your teeth are clean, fluoride varnish is commonly applied to remineralize and strengthen your teeth. Fluoride varnish is a much higher percentage than common toothpastes or other hygiene products and is very quick and easy to apply to your teeth.