Prophy Appointments Are the Foundation of a Healthy, Confident Smile
A dental prophy, commonly known as professional dental cleaning, is vital in dental care. Although you brush and floss your teeth daily, reaching every corner of your mouth is virtually impossible. An oral prophylaxis or simply a prophy allows the dentist to clean all surfaces of your mouth, including the hard-to-reach spots.
Are you up to date with your routine cleanings in Sarasota, Florida? If not, schedule an appointment with Vital Dental. Dr. Mitul Patel offers gentle yet effective dental cleanings to ensure you maintain a healthy, issue-free smile.
What should I expect during oral prophylaxis?
Our dentist recommends professional dental cleanings twice yearly to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is a colorless and sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth. While brushing and flossing are meant to remove this saliva and food debris mixture, they aren’t 100% effective. During dental cleanings, the dentist removes plaque and tartar (calcified plaque) from every corner of your mouth using special tools and skills.
Our dentist doesn’t go straight to dental cleaning. We’ll first inspect your teeth and gums for signs of decay and infections. This dental exam includes visual exams with an intraoral camera. However, the dentist can request digital X-rays to inspect your oral health beneath the gum line.
After your dental check-up, it’s time for our dental hygienist to show their cleaning skills on your teeth. We’ll clean your tooth surface beneath the gum line to remove unhealthy deposits. Then, we’ll polish your teeth with gritty toothpaste for a smooth, glossy finish.
How often should my teeth be professionally cleaned?
Dentists recommend having professional teeth cleanings every six months. However, if you risk gum disease or decay, consider professional cleanings 3-4 times yearly. Regular cleanings help to remove plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing and flossing may miss.
What are the benefits of a prophy?
Visiting the dentist twice yearly for cleanings isn’t just a routine—it’s essential. Regular teeth cleanings offer numerous benefits for your oral and overall health.
Some include:
- Prevention: Removing plaque and dental calculus prevents gum disease, decay, bad breath, and other oral issues.
- Early detection: Dental cleanings are preceded by oral check-ups, which detect and treat minor oral issues before progressing.
- Protects your overall well-being: Because of the oral-systemic link, routine cleanings protect your overall well-being by keeping out periodontal disease, which has been linked with increased risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, etc.
- Improved aesthetics: Dental cleanings remove surface stains, tartar, and other nasties to maintain a radiant smile.
It’s important to note that standard cleanings are preventive. If we detect any signs of gum disease, the dentist may recommend a deep cleaning, which is more comprehensive than a routine cleaning. Deep cleaning targets the deep periodontal pockets using specialized tools to remove harmful bacteria and deposits. After this thorough cleaning, the dentist will smooth the root surfaces (a process known as root planing) to promote the healthy reattachment of gum tissues to your teeth.
Due for a prophy appointment?
An oral prophylaxis is integral in maintaining a healthy smile. Has it been over six months since you had your teeth professionally cleaned? If so, call (941) 371-2022 to reserve an appointment with Vital Dental.
Before and After Treatment Images
This patient has not had a cleaning for a few years. There was a lot of build up and inflammation leading to unhealthy gums. Over time this will cause bone loss that can be irreversible. We were able to clean him up and get his gums healthy again!
Dr. Mitul Patel
Dr. Mitul Patel, D.M.D., is a dedicated dentist at Vital Dental Sarasota, known for his caring and gentle approach. With over 500 hours of continuing education, Dr. Patel's commitment to staying abreast of the latest dental advancements ensures his patients receive top-notch care. His meticulous attention to detail, aided by high magnification loupes, guarantees precision in every procedure. Dr. Patel's compassionate nature and expert knowledge make him a trusted figure in the dental community, providing an exceptional and reassuring experience for all his patients.
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