Types of Teeth Cleaning Near Me: What’s Involved and When You’ll Need Them
One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from our patients is about various dental cleanings. Often, a patient will go to their dental office for what they intend to be a regular “teeth cleaning near me,” only to find out that they need a deep cleaning. Instead of paying nothing for this cleaning, they end up with a bill. Being confused and surprised can end up being a bad combination. And that’s why our team at Nebraska Family Dentistry is here; we want to eliminate any confusion or surprise. In our article, we’ll cover some of the most common types of “teeth cleaning near me” and different clues or signs that you might need something more than a regular cleaning.
Various Types of Teeth Cleaning Near Me:
- Regular Dental Cleanings or a Prophylaxis
A routine cleaning or prophylaxis is a regular cleaning to help prevent any dental problems, such as bone loss or gum disease. A prophylaxis can also catch other dental issues, such as cavities, before they become a more significant concern. Dentists recommend that patients keep a routine schedule and have a regular prophylaxis cleaning every six months. This is in addition to maintaining an excellent at-home routine with their oral hygiene, thus helping to maintain a happy, healthy mouth.
Here are some quick facts that we think you should know about regarding routine cleanings:
- Routine teeth cleanings near me can only be done on a healthy mouth, which means regular cleanings can not be done on a mouth with bone loss or gum disease.
- A routine cleaning does remove plaque, the sticky film that’s constantly forming on teeth.
- Regular teeth cleanings near me remove calculus, which is plaque that has hardened.
- A routine prophylaxis or cleaning removes stains.
- A dental hygienist performs routine dental cleanings.
- Deep Teeth Cleaning Near Me: Also termed SRP (Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing)
A deep “teeth cleaning near me” is considered a non-surgical cleaning done in a dental office to treat gum disease. The cause of gum disease is known to be plaque. If unchecked, plaque will harden and turn into tartar or calculus, which is bad news for your gums and teeth.The purpose of a deep teeth cleaning near me (SRP) is to remove the tartar build-up from between your teeth and gums as well as from the roots of your teeth.Some signs indicating that you might need a deep teeth cleaning near me include:
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing.
- Puffy, red gums.
- Tartar has created tiny pockets between your gums and teeth, which harbor dangerous bacteria.
- Gums that have started to pull away or recede from teeth.
- Teeth have become loose or starting falling out.
- Occurrences of bad breath despite reasonable efforts.
- Periodontal Maintenance Teeth Cleaning Near Me
Once procedures such as gum surgery or even scaling and root planing have been completed, a routine cleaning (prophylaxis) might no longer be enough. So, periodontists or dentists recommend periodontal maintenance cleanings. Periodontal maintenance cleanings are a type of “follow-up cleaning” that helps keep gum disease away.
Other things to keep in mind regarding periodontal maintenance cleanings are:
- They help disrupt the growth of the bacteria that cause gum disease.
- Periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically suggested for individuals with gum surgery or scaling and root planing previously.
- Periodontal maintenance cleanings are recommended in intervals of every three to four months, as indicated by your dentist.
- Debridement
If it has been one year or more since you have seen your dentist for a “teeth cleaning near me,” there is a chance you might need a dental debridement. It’s important to know, however, that a debridement is not a dental cleaning. A debridement is a procedure that removes the excessive build-up of tartar, and so that the condition of your gums, bone, and teeth can be accurately assessed by your dentist.Here are some signs you might need a dental debridement:
- You have not had a cleaning by a hygienist or dentist in over a year.
- You have a thick build-up of tartar and plaque on your teeth.
- The build-up is not only above the gum line but also below the gum line.
Here are some commonly asked questions about a “teeth cleaning near me” answered by your gentle Lincoln, NE dentists:
What does a teeth cleaning cost?
Just as with any medical procedure, the cost of a dental cleaning depends upon a few factors. One of the most significant factors that determine just how much you’ll pay for a dental cleaning is dental insurance. Generally, most dental insurance plans cover routine dental cleanings at 100%, leaving you with no out-of-pocket portion.
However, it is essential to note that if any additional services are performed, for example, x-rays or additional exams, these items likely won’t be covered by your dental insurance, which in turn means you’ll end up paying for these items.
What does a hygienist or dentist do when they clean your teeth?
When having your teeth cleaned, your hygienist will remove tartar and plaque from the surface of your teeth, between your teeth, and near the gum line. Depending upon the amount of build-up that you have, they will either use a handheld scaler or an ultrasonic scaler.
How long does a teeth cleaning near me take?
On average, a routine dental cleaning will take thirty minutes to one hour. If you are new to a dental clinic, however, your first dental cleaning might take closer to one hour, with the potential of going slightly over. Because dentists like to be thorough, they may request additional x-rays or exams to ensure that they have entirely assessed your dental health and provide you with the care you need going forward.
In the end, a thorough provider is generally a good provider. Missed or unaddressed dental concerns can be costly and painful if not caught early.
Should you brush your teeth before having a teeth cleaning near me?
Although it’s not necessary to brush and floss right before your dental visit, it absolutely won’t hurt a thing. Brushing and flossing could save your hygienist a couple of minutes, but any residual food or stains will effectively be removed if you don’t have time to brush or floss beforehand.
Knowing the various types of dental cleanings and understanding when each of them might be needed is beneficial. Based on your habits and dental health, you will now have the right expectations when going to the dentist. Having this knowledge will help alleviate the burden of financial surprises. Most importantly, having this knowledge will help you understand that your oral hygiene routine paired with routine cleanings by your dentist or hygienist are the most powerful weapons you can have against gum disease. Take charge of your oral health today!
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We have 7 Locations in Lincoln, NE!
- Lincoln Family Dentistry – Central Lincoln
- South Lincoln Family Dentistry – South Lincoln
- Northeast Lincoln Family Dentistry – Northeast Lincoln
- Preserve Family Dentistry – East Lincoln
- Coddington Dental – West Lincoln
- NorthStar Dental – North Lincoln
- SouthPointe Dental – Southwest Lincoln
- Emergency Dentist NE – Emergency Dental Care
- Lincoln Dental Plans – Affordable Dental Options
Nebraska Family Dentistry has multiple Lincoln Dental Clinics!
Choose a “dentist near me” location that is convenient for you.