Dental Cleanings in Gretna, LA
At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, Dr. Schafer and his staff believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure. Cavities and gum disease are 100 percent preventable, and when done on a regular basis, dental cleanings help people have healthy smiles and stopping problems before they arise. To our patients, we offer dental cleanings to help keep you and your teeth in good health. The type of cleaning that Dr. Schafer recommends will depend on what you and your individual risk factors.
Dental Prophylaxis or a Routine Cleaning
A routine cleaning is called a dental prophylaxis and is the most common dental procedure. Regular routine cleaning helps keep your teeth naturally white and cavity free. A routine cleaning can help you prevent gum disease and cavities by removing plaque that cannot be removed by a toothbrush and floss. Also, Dr. Schafer or one of his skilled hygienists will work with you to coach you on new techniques to help you improve your toothbrush and flossing skills when you clean your own teeth.
The American Dental Association recommends patients have at least one cleaning every 6 months. Dr. Schafer may recommend a cleaning every 3 to 4 months depending on your risk factors for gum disease or your history of cavities. Patients at a high risk for gum disease or new cavities should consider having a routine cleaning done more than twice a year. Dr. Schafer can also offer special toothpaste and mouthwashes to help prevent cavities and gum disease as well.
Children's Cleanings
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist within six months of their first tooth or before they turn one. Even though kids only have 2 to 4 teeth by this time, children who see the dentist earlier are less likely to develop cavities later.
Fluoride Treatment
At the end of the cleaning, Dr. Schafer or his hygienists will offer to place a preventative fluoride varnish. Dr. Schafer highly recommends fluoride to his patients under the age of 15 as well as adults that have a history of many cavities. Regular fluoride treatments combined with fluoridated water and toothpastes are the best prevention that we have to stop cavities.
Periodontal Therapy
Occasionally, patients will need a deep cleaning due to gum disease such as periodontitis or that it has been a long time since their last cleaning. Deep cleanings remove very hard plaque and require more time than a routine cleaning allows. These plaques usually irritate the gums and cause bleeding and often cause bad breath.
During the deep cleaning, Dr. Schafer or the hygienist will spend much time ensuring each tooth is clean. The deep cleaning will occur over two or three visits to clean the mouth thoroughly. After the cleaning, Dr. Schafer will prescribe a special mouth rinse to help prevent future problems. After the therapy is done, patients need to return on a regular basis otherwise it may need to be done again in the future.
Contact Us for a Dental Appointment
Are you currently in need of a cleaning? Whether it has been six months or six years since your last one, give us a call at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry so that we can get you in soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Have Your Teeth Cleaned?
Patients often wonder why they should have dental cleanings performed in a dental office on a regular basis. If you are brushing and flossing at home, isn’t that enough? The answer is no. Many dentists recommend having a dental cleaning (prophylaxis) performed in a dental office every six months. At Nola Dentures and General Dentistry in Greta, LA, we also recommend regular teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office.
Regular dental cleanings are important to your oral and overall health. When you have your teeth cleaned in a dental office, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar that you won’t be able to remove with your at-home cleanings.
Additionally, going in regularly to have your teeth cleaned will give dental professionals a chance to look in your mouth and examine your teeth and gums. That means your dentist will be able to catch any developing tooth or gum issues early on, which can save you pain and money later on. The earlier tooth or gum issues are treated, the less expensive the procedure usually is for you.
Having your teeth cleaned on a regular basis will help you maintain a healthy, brighter smile.
To have a dental cleaning in Greta, contact our office for assistance. In our office, Dr. Schafer can help you get the clean, healthy smile you’ve always wanted. He can also help you save money on expensive dental procedures with regular teeth cleanings!
Yes, a dental cleaning can whiten your teeth. In the same way that washing and waxing your car that is covered in dust makes your car shine, removing plaque and tartar can show off the natural beauty in your teeth.
Tartar is a soft deposit on your teeth from food debris, and plaque is a mineralized deposit left on teeth from a combination of tartar, saliva, and bacteria in the mouth.
How Does a Dental Cleaning Whiten Teeth?
Unfortunately, this plaque and tartar can easily stain depending on what you put in your mouth which is why drinks such as coffee and wine, foods such as berries, and tobaccos use via cigarettes and dip easily stain teeth. Plaque can be removed by a toothbrush, but as soon as it hardens and becomes tartar, only professional dental instruments can remove it.
Generally, the dentist or the hygienist will remove the larger pieces of plaque with instruments that are sharp enough to break through the plaque but not damage the teeth. Also, a water spray may be used which uses high-frequency sound waves to vibrate off plaque without hurting the teeth.
After the majority of plaque has been removed, then the dentist or hygienist will come back with a polish to remove the remaining plaque. This final step gives you that new teeth look.
For more information on dental cleanings or teeth whitening in Gretna, LA, please give us a call at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry today at (504) 392-5104.
Meet Our Doctor:
Russell Schafer DDS
Dr. Russell Schafer is happy and proud to call New Orleans his home. He was born in New Orleans, raised in Pearl River, and attended Jesuit High School and graduated in 2003. He went to Rice University in Houston where he graduated with a bachelors and masters in mechanical engineering degree. While at Rice, Dr. Schafer was a a cheerleader for all four years, active in Rice Catholic Student Association as well as student government, and tutored fellow students as well. Before attending dental school, Dr. Schafer spent ...
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