What is Dental Prophylaxis and How Can It Help You?

Have you been much busy and unable to visit your dental health professional in a while? Are you struggling with some oral health issues and want to have better teeth aesthetics? Then, it’s time to visit your healthcare provider, who will inspect your mouth to keep your smile perfect. A dental prophylaxis appointment is a routine care preventive measure imperative for good oral health. It is a method of teeth cleaning by removing plaque, tartar, and other obnoxious substances.

Want to learn more? Then, here is a brief guideline to educate you so that you can prevent gum diseases and halt their progression.

What is Dental Prophylaxis?

A dental prophylaxis is considered both a treatment procedure and a preventive measure. It is a routine procedure to promote oral health and address potential issues. It is best for people who do not bother to see a dentist until they have a dental problem. Oral prophylaxis helps prevent the following common dental issues:

• Gingivitis.
• Periodontal disease.
• Plaque and tartar.
• Cavities and tooth decay.

Is Dental Prophylaxis Necessary?

You might be wondering if dental prophylaxis is a necessary treatment. The truth is that even if you maintain good oral hygiene, you should always consider it. It helps dental health professionals diagnose your dental problems even before they occur. Some dental issues often do not have visible signs or associated symptoms, for instance, pain or general discomfort. A dental prophylaxis appointment helps to identify such problems at an early stage.

The frequency of a dental prophylaxis appointment varies from person to person. Some people who are at high risk of gum diseases need to schedule it at least after every 3-4 months. Others might need this preventive procedure twice a year, for instance. As a general rule of thumb, consider this treatment more often if you have unhealthy teeth or gums. Otherwise, you might not need it frequently.

Benefits of Prophylaxis Treatment

Fresh breath

Bad breath is a primary symptom of periodontal disease. It severely disrupts the quality of life and makes it even worse if not treated. Fortunately, a prophylaxis appointment can remove substances that play a role in bad breath—for instance, plaque, tartar, calculus, and bacteria. Right after the appointment, you’ll notice a feeling of fresh breath that lasts longer.

Healthy smile

Prophylaxis does more than remove harmful and toxic substances from the mouth. It helps remove unappealing stains from the teeth that otherwise cause tooth discoloration. Through dental prophylaxis, the patient gets a healthy and brighter smile.

Prevention of common dental problems

A prophylaxis appointment is an essential part of preventative dental care. It prevents common dental problems that arise due to the accumulation of bacteria. It arrests advanced dental issues and eliminates bacterial growth that might undermine oral health functioning.

Identification of other severe health conditions.

Oral health is a window to overall health, and dental prophylaxis identifies the patient’s entire health condition. It helps in figuring out major medical issues the patient might be suffering. These include Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, and Osteoporosis.

Steps of Dental Prophylaxis

Step1: Oral Examination: Dental x-rays help to identify underlying cavities or gum problems.

Step 2: Plaque Removal: The dentist then scales your teeth with hand tools and uses pressurized water to remove hardened plaque.

Step 3: Polishing: An electric polisher removes tiny bits of remaining plaque on the teeth.

Step 4: Fluoride Treatment: Fluoride compounds are used in dental prophylaxis to strengthen the tooth enamel.

Step 5: Post-Cleaning Examination: At this last step, the dentist reviews the work done on your teeth and optimizes your overall dental health.

Concluding Thoughts

A dental prophylaxis is a safe treatment to promote oral health functioning. Have a conversation with your dentist to know how frequently you’ll require this procedure to maintain your oral health. It usually takes an hour or so to complete the process.

Contact your dentist in Walnut Creek, Dr. Darvishzadeh at Walnut Creek Dental, for more information on Dental Prophylaxis.

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This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.