All About Oral Prophylaxis

If you've ever had your dentist say that you need oral prophylaxis, don't fret. It's not something to worry about... yet. Maybe you don't know much about the procedure and hence, the hesitation. What is oral prophylaxis anyway? How often should you have it done? What are the benefits? Let's find out:

Oral Prophylaxis Defined

Oral Prophylaxis is a procedure wherein your dentist removes tartar and plaque build-up from your teeth. This, in turn, helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. It may also sometimes be called professional cleaning or professional teeth cleaning.

Diseases Prevented

You may help prevent periodontal diseases and gingivitis just by having regular oral prophylaxis. These diseases occur when bacteria from plaque colonize on the gum, either above or below the gum line. The bacteria colonies then cause inflammation and irritation which in turn produce a chronic inflammatory response in the body.

Benefits

In addition to preventing diseases, professional cleaning also provide other benefits. These include:

• Removing tartar
• Removing extrinsic stains
• Reducing plaque buildup
• Preventing halitosis or bad breath
• Regular assessment of oral health
• Aesthetics

How Often?

We recommend that you undergo professional cleaning twice a year as a preventive measure. However, if you have periodontal diseases, we recommend having it every four months. What does the medical literature say about this? Unfortunately, we found out that research about the proper frequency of tooth cleaning has been inconclusive. That is, it has neither been shown that more frequent cleaning leads to better outcomes nor that it does not. If you want to know more, we suggest that you consult with your Dentist.