Teeth Cleaning

The American Dental Association recommends that you receive a regular teeth cleaning twice a year. Getting your teeth cleaned maintains your dental health, and it’s a procedure that prevents cavities, periodontal issues, tooth loss and gum disease. While daily brushing and flossing get most of the food bits left in your mouth, only a professional can remove the deposits and tartar that build up on your teeth and along the gum line.

For optimum oral health, your family dentist in Bronx, NY may recommend as many as three cleanings per year. Teeth cleaning costs are minimal compared to the costs of treating the more serious dental problems that come from not having your teeth cleaned regularly. Hutchinson Metro Dental accepts most insurance plans. They also offer a selection of payment options, allowing you to access care without delay.

What Type of Teeth Cleaning Is Right for You?

There are several types of teeth cleaning. Dr. Victoria Kushensky and her hygienists in Bronx, NY in Bronx, NY assess what type of dental treatment you need during your first visit to the office.

A typical first appointment includes:

• A review of your medical and dental histories
• A thorough evaluation of your oral health
• Digital x-rays of your teeth
• Physical examination of your teeth, gums and mouth

Even with an excellent home dental routine, there’s always tartar buildup that you can’t remove by brushing and flossing alone. If you’re in good oral health, you may be a candidate for a prophylaxis cleaning, designed primarily for prevention. This type of preventative dental care removes calculus, plaque and stains. Your dentist typically recommends prophylaxis cleaning every six months.

Deep Teeth Cleaning

If you haven’t received professional cleanings on a regular basis, Dr. Victoria Kushensky in Bronx may recommend a deep teeth cleaning. Deep cleaning is different from a preventative dental cleaning because it involves cleaning your teeth below the gum line. This type of dental procedure also treats gum disease.

The need for deep cleaning is determined by probing your gum line to see if you have any pockets between the gums and teeth. If there is a depth beyond five millimeters, it’s referred to as a pocket. Pocketing between a tooth and gum creates locations where bacteria easily collect, causing periodontal disease, gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay.

Scaling and Root Planing

Deep teeth cleaning also is referred to as scaling and root planing. While scaling is non-surgical, it may require more than a single appointment. You may ask if this type of deep cleaning hurts. It’s certainly more uncomfortable than a preventative cleaning, but the team at Hutchinson Metro Dental always ensures your comfort with local anesthesia. If you need additional comfort, sedation is available.

Scaling is effective because it removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and the area between the tooth and gums. Root planing completes the process by removing plaque and tarter from the surface of the exposed roots of your teeth. Root planing often takes place below the gum line, but many people tolerate it without sedation.

The Process Works

Dr. Victoria Kushensky performs scaling and root planing using ultrasonic instruments, as well as manual scaling tools. The manual scaling tool is called a curette or dental scaler. It has a curved prong on the end to remove the sticky plaque build-up along and just below the gum line.

Ultrasonic scaling instruments remove plaque from the tooth surface. The ultrasonic vibrations chip off tartar and a water spray washes it away, while keeping the instrument tip cool. You end up with clean teeth and gums that you can more effectively maintain with regular prophylaxis cleanings.

It’s a Family Affair

Since your Bronx, NY dentist practices family dentistry, you can bring your children to the same office. It’s recommended that children begin visiting a dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts. This exposes them to the normalcy of preventative dentistry and introduces them to their family cosmetic implant dentist, Dr. Victoria Kushensky.

Your teenagers may appreciate knowing their family dentist when it comes time for orthodontic treatment. Seniors in the house may visit for dentures or implants. And once your teeth and gums are healthy, you’re ready to take advantage of the cosmetic treatments offered at Hutchinson Metro Dental, from teeth whitening to veneers.

Don’t Wait for Treatment

The American Academy of Periodontology recommends that adults receive a periodontal evaluation by a dentist each year to determine if additional treatment is required. Measuring pocket depth is now part of the comprehensive dental evaluation you receive with your teeth cleaning appointment.

If you’re ready to book an appointment to get your teeth cleaned, Dr. Victoria Kushensky and her team at Hutchinson Metro Dental provide the most advanced care with a gentle touch. They care about your dental health.