Dental Cleanings in San Diego, CA

For your teeth to remain healthy, it’s imperative to see the dentist regularly and attend your bi-annual teeth cleaning appointments.

Skipping your recommended dental check-ups and professional dental cleanings allows bacteria on your teeth and gum to grow unchecked, leading to cavities and gum disease, which are closely linked to your overall health.

At La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics, Dr. Kami Kohani provides comprehensive dental care for individuals living or visiting San Diego, California.

What Are the Benefits of Professional Dental Cleanings?

Having your teeth cleaned every six months allows the dental hygienist to remove tartar and plaque from your teeth and check to see if this bacteria-filled build-up has reached below your gum line. This is common and requires a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to prevent an early form of gum disease from progressing to severe periodontitis.

Bacteria from your teeth can quickly spread below the gums and into the blood vessels under your teeth to other areas of the body.

By eliminating plaque and tartar, regular dental cleanings include the following cosmetic benefits:

  • Protects teeth
  • Improves the appearance of teeth by removing
  • Prepares teeth for professional whitening

Your smile is worth protecting for aesthetic reasons. However, a link between your overall well-being and the health of your gums has also been established, making the proper care of your teeth (including routine cleanings) even more crucial.

The following illnesses can be triggered or worsened by oral bacteria that have traveled outside of the mouth into the bloodstream:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart and lung disease
  • Premature delivery and low birth weight
  • Dementia

Visiting the dentist twice yearly helps you ensure optimal oral health by removing an abundance of bacteria and detecting gum disease (gingivitis) early. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) can prevent gingivitis from advancing to progressive gum disease.

Am I a Candidate for Professional Dental Cleanings?

Individuals over the age of three who have not had their teeth cleaned or visited a dentist in over six months are not only good candidates for professional dental cleanings; they are strongly advised to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

The only reason to delay a professional teeth cleaning is when you have a serious oral health condition that needs attention first. Be sure to schedule your dental cleaning soon after this treatment is completed.

Call Our San Diego dental expert at (858) 295-0603 to learn what Dr. Kohani can do for you.

What Techniques Are Used in Professional Dental Cleanings?

Our experienced dental hygienist will examine your teeth and gums to evaluate your needs. If a deep cleaning is unnecessary, they will remove plaque and hardened tartar with a scraping tool or ultrasonic scaling device.

Next, our hygienist will use a powerful motorized toothbrush to remove any residual tartar on your teeth and apply prophylaxis paste, a specially designed toothpaste with a grainy consistency that further cleans and polishes your teeth. A fluoride treatment may be included to help remineralize your enamel when necessary.

Scaling and Root Planing

If our dental hygienist feels you may require a deep cleaning, our specialist will measure your gum pockets to confirm the need.

They can often begin this minor procedure on the same day, but in most cases, the treatment will be performed one section (or one side) at a time, and you may need to schedule a separate appointment(s).

• The first step of deep dental cleaning is called scaling. Plaque and tartar are removed from below the gum line.

• The second step of a deep dental cleaning is called root planing. The root surfaces of your teeth are scraped and smoothed to encourage gum tissue to reattach firmly to the tooth roots.

Is There Downtime Associated With Professional Dental Cleanings?

There is no recovery period or downtime involved with a routine dental cleaning. After scaling and root planing, you may experience some temporary tenderness that can be relieved with ibuprofen or naproxen.

Dr. Kohani may prescribe an antibiotic mouthwash or recommend an ADA-approved antibacterial rinse.

What Results Can I Expect After a Professional Dental Cleaning?

After a dental cleaning, your teeth will feel smooth and often look whiter.

Your teeth are now also ready for cosmetic treatments, including teeth whitening, which should be scheduled before receiving dental veneers, composite bonding, bridges, dental implants, or crowns.

Because porcelain restorations can not be lightened after being placed, whitening your smile allows you to color match them with your brightened natural teeth.

Providing Comprehensive Dental Care in San Diego

Cleaning your teeth every six months is an excellent way to learn about your oral health. Our dental hygienist can alert Dr. Kohani to any visible indication of gum disease, and if you are due for X-rays, we can catch any emerging issues.

La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics is your one-stop shop for all your dental needs, and Dr. Kohani can provide all the services you and your family require to maintain a healthy smile. He creates custom treatment plans based on your unique needs to correct any problems you are experiencing.

Some of our other services include:

If you are not yet due for x-rays during a dental cleaning visit and our team finds any issues, or you are experiencing pain, we will take emergency radiographs for diagnostic purposes and address them promptly.

Ultimately, our goal is to identify, diagnose, and treat any oral health issues before they progress while helping you maintain a bright and beautiful smile. Catching cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay will keep you from experiencing discomfort and financial setbacks in the future.

Please call 858-295-0603 to schedule your San Diego, California, professional dental cleaning and exam today!

858-295-0603