We perform a procedure at Joy Dental Pines, known as dental prophylaxis, to reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. This involves polishing your teeth as well as scaling them. During scaling, your dentist or technician uses special tools to remove plaque, tartar, and staining. This includes below your gum line. Polishing smoothens your teeth and removes rough spots that might attract bacteria. We recommend undergoing prophylaxis every six months to two years, depending on your oral health history.
Cleaning below your gum line is the most important part of the prophylaxis procedure. Most people who brush and floss regularly have no problems keeping the teeth above the gum lines healthy. However, it can be significantly more challenging below the gum line. That is due to the build-up of dental calculus that occurs because of the difficulty in reaching this area with a toothbrush. Without regular scaling and polishing, you have an increased risk of both dental decay and gum disease.
If you’re concerned you could have gum disease or just want to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, speak to your dentist about prophylaxis treatment.