Our dental hygienists are licensed professionals that specialize in preventive care. They play a vital role in our patients overall dental health. To educate our patients, our hygienist will demonstrate proper oral hygiene techniques during your scheduled appointment.
What to Expect at My First Visit?
After an initial examination of your mouth, the hygienist will determine if there are any abnormalities present or if periodontal (gum) disease exists. This evaluation will allow Dr. Baugh and the hygienist to determine which level of cleaning is required. Common procedures performed by our hygienists are Dental Prophylaxis (routine cleanings), Full Mouth Debridements, and Scaling and Root Planning. During your cleaning, the hygienist will remove calculus (tartar), stains, and plaque from your teeth. Once the calculus and plaque is removed, the hygienist will polish your teeth using a special prophy paste. If desired, requested, or recommended, a fluoride treatment may also be applied to increase the strength of your teeth. Sealants may also be applied to your teeth if they are free of cavities.
Why Should My Teeth be Cleaned Professionally?
Plaque is a form of bacteria that adheres to tooth structure. Over time, plaque hardens and becomes calcified. At this stage, it becomes what is called calculus (tartar). Plaque and calculus are irritants to the tissues of your mouth. The reaction of these irritants within your mouth lead to subsequent gum inflammation, gum recession, gum bleeding, and eventual bone loss around the teeth. These conditions constitute periodontal (gum) disease.
Smoking, certain types of illnesses (diabetes), older age, and other factors increase the risk for periodontal disease. More than 75% of American adults have some form of gum disease, and do not even know it. The earliest stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis (which is reversible) and is characterized by bleeding gums, especially when one brushes and flosses. If the disease is not addressed, it will progress to periodontitis, which is far more destructive. Periodontitis is characterized by gum deterioration, bone loss, and ultimately tooth loss.
Dental Prophylaxis
A routine dental cleaning is also known as a dental prophylaxis or prophy. This procedure is typically performed every six months. The main purpose of a prophylaxis visit is to maintain optimum oral health, while reducing the risk of gum disease.
While flossing and brushing your teeth regularly helps maintain proper oral health above the gum line, it is difficult for your toothbrush and floss to reach all areas surrounding your teeth. Below the gum line, dental calculus or tartar typically build up. Routine dental hygiene visits are recommended to adequately clean above and below the gum line. Your dental cleaning involves both scaling and polishing your teeth. During the scaling process, meticulous tools are used to remove tartar, plaque, and staining from your teeth. Once the calculus and plaque is removed, your teeth are polished to remove rough spots which might otherwise attract bacteria.
Full Mouth Debridement
A full mouth debridement is the first of two "cleanings" which is performed when there is excessive build up on the teeth, inflammation of the gums, and bleeding of the gingival tissue. This type of cleaning is common with patients who do not visit the dentist regularly. The first cleaning is when most of the calculus is removed from the teeth by using ultrasonic equipment. Dental tools are then used to remove additional calculus. This allows for the gum tissues to begin healing and the inflammation to decrease.
After 2-3 weeks of healing, a “fine scale” appointment is scheduled to accomplish a final cleaning of the teeth. The gum tissue will be healthier, allowing any remaining visible calculus to be removed. Once all the calculus is removed, your teeth will be polished to remove rough spots which might otherwise attract bacteria.
Scaling & Root Planning
Scaling and root planning is the most common form of treatment for periodontal disease. Scaling removes calculus and plaque from the tooth surfaces of your teeth above and below the gum line. Root planning smoothes the root surfaces and rids your teeth of any additional calculus below the gum line. If there is an extensive amount of calculus to be removed, Dr. Baugh or the hygienist will numb the area to make the procedure more comfortable. A combination of sonic and hand instruments are used during this procedure. The sonic instruments remove the large deposits of plaque and calculus. Hand instruments are then used to remove any remaining calculus and ensure all surfaces of the crown and root are clean and free of bacteria.
Sensitivity and soreness may be present a few days following this treatment. Typically, over-the-counter pain relievers are used to relieve pain. A follow-up visit is usually scheduled six weeks or ninety days following treatment. During this visit, the hygienist will clean your teeth again, while monitoring the improvement of your gum disease.
To aid in monitoring the disease, a routine periodontal maintenance visit is scheduled every 3 to 4 months. Once you have been diagnosed with periodontal gum disease, regular visits to the dentist will ultimately help prevent tooth loss. The ultimate goal is to eliminate active inflammation caused by bacteria, to reduce periodontal pockets around the teeth so they cannot trap plaque or calculus, and to maintain the present bone height around the teeth.
Fluoride Treatments
A fluoride treatment is a highly concentrated form of fluoride that is applied directly to your teeth. Professional fluoride treatments only take a few minutes, and are much stronger than treatments available over-the-counter. Your fluoride treatment will be applied using either a gel or a foam.
Typically, it is applied to your teeth after your dental cleaning has been performed. It may be applied to the enamel, dentine, or cementum of your teeth and is useful to help prevent decay. After the application of fluoride, you may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink or at least 30 minutes. This will allow your teeth to absorb the fluoride and help repair microscopic carious areas.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Sealants provide a defensive barrier, which aid in protection from acids and plaque. As long as your dental sealants remain intact, your teeth will be protected from decay. A reapplication may be required after several years.
Sealants are easy to apply, and only takes a few minutes to apply to each of your tooth. They are usually applied once your teeth have been cleaned. For the sealants to properly adhere, your teeth are roughened with an acid solution. The sealants are then applied directly onto the enamel of your teeth, where it bonds to your teeth and hardens. A curing light may be used to help the sealants harden.
