A professional dental cleaning, also known as a dental prophylaxis, is a cornerstone of preventative dentistry. It’s a meticulous process performed by our highly skilled dental hygienists, using specialized tools and techniques that go far beyond what you can achieve with your toothbrush and floss at home.
During your professional dental cleaning at Smiles By Eddie in Woodland Hills, you can expect:
- Initial Assessment: The hygienist will first examine your mouth to identify any areas of concern, such as plaque buildup, tartar, or gum inflammation.
- Plaque and Tartar Removal (Scaling): Using specialized instruments, including ultrasonic scalers (which use vibrations and water) and hand scalers, your hygienist will carefully and thoroughly remove plaque (a sticky, bacteria-filled film) and tartar (hardened plaque, also called calculus) from all tooth surfaces, both above and slightly below the gum line. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing or flossing alone.
- Polishing: After scaling, your teeth will be polished using a special paste and a rotating brush. This step removes surface stains, leaving your teeth feeling incredibly smooth and appearing brighter. It also helps to smooth out any rough spots where plaque might easily accumulate.
- Flossing: A thorough flossing will be performed to remove any remaining plaque or paste between your teeth and confirm interdental cleanliness.
- Fluoride Treatment (Optional/Recommended): Depending on your risk factors for cavities, a fluoride rinse or gel may be applied to your teeth. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. This is especially beneficial for children and adults prone to cavities.
- Oral Hygiene Education: Our hygienists are passionate about helping you maintain your oral health. They will provide personalized tips on brushing and flossing techniques, recommend specific products, and answer any questions you have about your home care routine.
At Smiles By Eddie, I believe that while your daily brushing and flossing are incredibly important, they are only one part of maintaining a truly healthy and sparkling smile. Regular professional dental cleanings are your smile’s best friend, reaching areas your toothbrush can’t, removing stubborn buildup, and preventing common dental problems before they even start. My talented team of dental hygienists and I are dedicated to providing thorough, gentle, and refreshing cleanings right here in Woodland Hills, helping you enjoy fresh breath, brighter teeth, and optimal oral health for life.
Think of your professional dental cleaning as a deep clean for your smile’s health! These routine visits are crucial for preventing major problems down the line and maintaining your overall well-being. By visiting us consistently at our Woodland Hills dental office, you’re making a smart investment in your health.
Key benefits of regular professional dental cleanings include:
- Preventing Cavities: By removing plaque and tartar, we eliminate the primary source of cavity-causing bacteria.
- Fighting Gum Disease: Plaque and tartar buildup are the direct causes of gingivitis (early gum disease) and periodontitis (advanced gum disease). Regular cleanings prevent and help manage these conditions, which can otherwise lead to bone loss and tooth loss.
- Freshening Your Breath: Professional cleanings eliminate the bacteria and food particles that cause chronic bad breath (halitosis).
- Brighter, More Confident Smile: Stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco are removed, leaving your teeth looking noticeably cleaner and often brighter.
- Early Detection of Issues: Cleanings are typically part of your routine checkup, allowing Dr. Ahdoot to thoroughly examine your mouth for any early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, or other issues before they become major problems.
- Saving Money in the Long Run: Preventative care is always more cost-effective than restorative treatment. Catching issues early means simpler, less expensive solutions.
- Improving Overall Health: Your oral health is intrinsically linked to your general health. Preventing oral infections can positively impact conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and even pregnancy outcomes.
DR. EDMOND
AHDOOT
Choosing the right dental team for your routine cleanings is paramount for lifelong oral health. Here’s why patients in Woodland Hills, CA, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley, trust Smiles By Eddie for their professional dental cleanings:
- Exceptional Hygienists: Our dental hygienists are highly skilled, experienced, and renowned for their gentle touch and meticulous attention to detail. They genuinely care about your comfort and your oral health.
- Comprehensive Preventative Care: Our cleanings are part of a holistic approach to your oral health. We don’t just clean; we educate, assess, and partner with you to maintain your smile.
- Advanced Equipment & Techniques: We utilize modern ultrasonic scalers and comfortable chairs to ensure an efficient, effective, and pleasant cleaning experience.
- Patient Education & Empowerment: We believe in empowering our patients. Our team takes the time to explain every step, answer questions, and provide personalized advice to help you maintain optimal oral hygiene at home.
- Friendly & Relaxing Environment: We strive to create a warm, welcoming, and anxiety-free atmosphere, making your routine cleanings a positive and refreshing part of your health regimen.
- Convenient Local Access: Located right here in Woodland Hills, our office offers a comfortable and accessible environment for all your preventative dental care needs. We’re your trusted source for dental cleanings in Woodland Hills.
When you visit us for your professional dental cleaning at our Woodland Hills dental office, you can expect a comfortable and comprehensive experience focused on your well-being:
- Warm Welcome & Comfort: Our friendly team will greet you and ensure you feel relaxed in our modern and inviting office.
- Initial Assessment by Hygienist: Your hygienist will begin by reviewing your dental and medical history and performing a quick initial scan of your mouth.
- Thorough Scaling & Plaque Removal: Using state-of-the-art ultrasonic and hand instruments, your hygienist will meticulously remove all plaque and stubborn tartar from every surface of your teeth, both above and slightly below the gum line.
- Professional Polishing: Your teeth will then be polished using a specialized gritty paste that buffs away surface stains, leaving your teeth smooth and clean.
- Expert Flossing: A careful flossing will ensure all areas between your teeth are perfectly clean and free of debris.
- Fluoride Treatment (if chosen): If recommended, a fluoride treatment will be applied to help strengthen your enamel.
- Personalized Oral Hygiene Advice: Your hygienist will take the time to answer your questions and provide tailored tips for improving your daily brushing and flossing habits, recommending any specific products that might benefit you.
- Doctor’s Exam (Part of Your Checkup): Following your cleaning, Dr. Ahdoot will perform a comprehensive dental exam to assess your overall oral health, review X-rays (if taken), and discuss any findings or recommendations with you.
- Scheduling Your Next Visit: We’ll help you schedule your next routine professional cleaning and checkup, typically in six months, to keep your smile in top condition.
FAQ
For most healthy individuals, it’s recommended to have a professional dental cleaning every six months. If you have a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or other specific oral health concerns, Dr. Ahdoot may recommend more frequent cleanings (e.g., every 3-4 months) for optimal health.
A routine professional cleaning is generally comfortable. You might feel some pressure or scraping, but it shouldn’t be painful. If you have sensitive teeth or gum inflammation, we can use a topical numbing gel or adjust techniques to enhance your comfort.
Plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed daily by brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar (calculus), which is a hard, mineralized deposit that can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.
While professional cleanings remove surface stains caused by food, drinks, and tobacco, making your teeth appear brighter and cleaner, they do not change the underlying shade of your tooth enamel. For true tooth whitening, we offer professional teeth whitening treatments.
If you have gingivitis (gum inflammation), your gums might bleed slightly during or after the cleaning. This is common and usually a sign that your gums are irritated. Regular cleanings and good home care will help reduce this over time as your gum health improves.
While excellent home care is crucial, it cannot remove hardened tartar. Only professional dental tools can effectively remove tartar from above and below the gum line, where bacteria thrive and cause disease.
Your teeth will feel incredibly smooth and clean! You might experience minor gum sensitivity for a short time, especially if there was significant tartar buildup, but this usually subsides quickly. Your breath will feel fresher.
Most dental insurance plans fully cover or heavily subsidize routine professional dental cleanings (typically two per year), as they are considered essential preventative care. We can help you understand your specific benefits.
A routine professional dental cleaning usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the amount of tartar buildup and individual needs. This is often combined with your dental exam.
Yes, absolutely! Regular dental cleanings are not only safe but highly recommended during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase the risk of gum inflammation (pregnancy gingivitis), making good oral hygiene and professional cleanings even more important.