What is … a professional cleaning?

Professional teeth cleaning at our office involves removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the teeth and at the gumline. Our professionals are trained to use specialized tools safely and skillfully to gently remove these harmful substances. Plaque is constantly forming in your mouth. It thrives off starches and sugars in foods and beverages. Even the most diligent brushers and flossers cannot remove all harmful debris and deposits. Likewise, some bacterial substances can become trapped in hard-to-reach or “hidden” spaces. When plaque hardens to become tartar, it can only be removed with professional instruments and care.

Plaque and tartar generally erode the teeth and supportive gum tissue.

During your visit, Dr. Worful will also check for early signs of gum disease, decay, or other oral conditions. Many oral problems are “silent” or asymptomatic in their earliest stages. So, it is important for dentists like Dr. Worful to detect subtle signs. Sophisticated imaging also uncovers hidden trouble spots that cannot be seen with visual inspection alone.

Early intervention generally resolves problems non-invasively, comfortably, quickly, cost-effectively, and affordably.

How often do I need a professional cleaning?

The “standard” dental check-up (examination plus cleaning) is scheduled at least once every six months. We may recommend more frequent visits to our office if you are at greater risk of developing oral conditions such as gum disease, dental decay, and oral cancers. Risk factors include:

• Use of products that contain nicotine (cigarettes, e-cigs, vaporizers, chewing tobacco)
• Chronic dry mouth
• Use of medications that cause chronic dry mouth
• Systemic conditions, such as poor diabetes control that affect immunity
• Impaired mobility, which presents a challenge to consistent and diligent brushing and flossing
• Nutritional deficiencies and diets that promote oral disease
• The presence of active periodontal disease

To resolve existing disease, Dr. Worful may recommend that you undergo a “deep cleaning.” This nonsurgical therapy involves removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from below the gumline. This step in the process is known as “scaling,” because we use a dental scaler to lift these harmful deposits. The second step in the cleaning process is “planing.” We smooth out the rough areas at the roots of the teeth. These rough surfaces promote bacterial build-up. For many patients, Scaling and Root Planing is effective at restoring gum health and promoting healthy reattachment of the gums to the teeth.

Professional cleanings prevent the need for more invasive surgical procedures. They also preserve natural teeth by fighting the primary causes of tooth loss. We encourage you to get in a healthy routine of regular visits to Alpharetta Smile Care. Contact us today to schedule your appointment. We are conveniently located on Highway 9 North, near Bethany Bend in the Bethany Village neighborhood center.