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Dental Cleanings

At Martinez Dental Solutions, professional dental cleanings, which include periodontal cleanings, are performed by our Registered Dental Hygienists. These regularly scheduled appointments are crucial. They allow us to provide essential preventative care so you can enjoy optimal dental and physical health. Request an appointment by calling one of our Jacksonville offices today!

Our Expert Dental Cleanings

Once your dentist performs a dental exam and reviews your x-rays, he or she will determine the condition of your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. That will determine the type of cleaning you will need. These are the most common types:

Prophylaxis (or “prophy”) is a preventative cleaning that is recommended for patients with healthy gums, light plaque buildup and minimal gum bleeding. It involves the removal of plaque and teeth polishing above the gumline. Prophylaxis cleanings are recommended at least twice a year to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

A debridement is an exploratory cleaning recommended for patients with moderate plaque, with more bleeding and swelling in the gums, but with no bone damage (bone loss). It involves the removal of calculus, also known as tartar, above the gum tissue, as well as teeth polishing.

Scaling & Root Planing (or “deep cleaning”) is a cleaning that is recommended for patients with deeper damage to gums and surrounding tissues, more calculus below the gumline, bone loss, and possibly more bleeding. Halitosis (bad breath), swelling, exudation (pus from gum tissue), and mobility in some teeth may also be present. All of these are signs of gum disease. Not all patients show the same symptoms, nor the same severity. This type of cleaning involves the removal of calculus above and below the gum tissue, as well as teeth polishing.

After a deep cleaning:

  • It is normal to feel some tenderness of the gums for a day or two.
  • Patients may need to take over-the counter pain medication, in case of pain or discomfort.
  • We recommend rinsing with warm salt water (8 oz. of warm water with 1 tsp. of salt mixed in) twice a day for five days to aid in healing.
  • Regular periodontal maintenance cleanings are recommended, usually every three or four months.

This type of cleaning is recommended for patients who suffer from periodontal (gum) disease. Although there is no cure for gum disease, periodontal maintenance cleanings are recommended to help control the disease and help maintain a patient’s oral health. They are usually recommended every three or four months after a scaling & root planing cleaning.

Benefits of Routine Dental Cleanings

Many dental complications arise from improper care, such as prolonging your routine teeth cleaning procedures for an inordinate amount of time. You wouldn't go years without an oil change. Why would you go years without a dental exam? The benefits of routine dental exams far outweigh their uncomfortable nature.

Here are some of the most common causes of gum disease:

Poor dental hygiene

Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. Regular dental visits which include exams, cleanings, and digital X-rays, are also an effective way to prevent periodontitis. A combination of excellent home care and professional dental care will preserve the natural dentition and support bony structures. When bacteria and calculus (tartar) are not removed, the gums and bone around the teeth become affected by bacteria toxins and can cause gingivitis or periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss.

Research has indicated that smoking and tobacco use is one of the most significant factors in the development and progression of gum disease. In addition to smokers experiencing a slower recovery and healing rate, smokers are far more likely to suffer from calculus (tartar) build-up on teeth, deep pockets in the gingival tissue, and significant bone loss.

Despite practicing rigorous oral hygiene routines, as much as 30% of the population may have a strong genetic predisposition to gum disease. These individuals are six times more likely to develop periodontal disease than individuals with no genetic predisposition. Genetic tests can be used to determine susceptibility and early intervention can be performed to keep the oral cavity healthy.

During pregnancy, regular brushing and flossing are critical. Hormonal changes experienced by the body can cause the gum tissue to become more sensitive, rendering it susceptible to gum disease.

Stress lowers the ability of the immune system to fight off disease, which means bacterial infections may possibly beat the body’s defense system. Poor diet or malnutrition can also lower the body’s ability to fight periodontal infections, as well as negatively affect the health of the gums.

Many medical conditions can intensify or accelerate the onset and progression of gum disease, including respiratory disease, heart disease, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Diabetes hinders the body’s ability to utilize insulin, which makes the bacterial infection in the gums more difficult to control and cure.

The clenching or grinding of teeth can significantly damage the supporting tissue surrounding the teeth. Grinding one’s teeth is usually associated with a “bad bite” or the misalignment of the teeth. When an individual is suffering from gum disease, the additional destruction of gingival tissue due to grinding can accelerate the progression of the disease.

Many drugs including oral contraceptive pills, heart medicines, anti-depressants, and steroids affect the overall condition of teeth and gums, making them more susceptible to gum disease. Steroid use promotes gingival overgrowth, which makes swelling more commonplace and allows bacteria to colonize more readily in the gum tissue.
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Your Choice for Professional Family Dentistry

Our goal at Martinez Dental Solutions is to help patients reach and maintain maximum oral health by providing them with the highest quality dental care available. We do that by:

  • We only use the highest quality materials, most advanced technology, and first-rate dentistry practices.
  • Our dentists are caring and thoughtful professionals that provide dental solutions that are second-to-none.
  • We have 3D imaging technology in-house for more precise treatment planning
  • We have a multilingual staff to ensure every patient receives quality care geared toward restoring and enhancing their smile

Comprehensive Dental Care in Jacksonville

Request an appointment today for our dental cleaning services. Since 2006, we’ve been proudly serving Jacksonville, FL, neighborhoods and surrounding areas, including: Atlantic Beach, Southside, Doctors Inlet, Fleming Island, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra Beach, Riverside, and San Marco. Take advantage of our full-service dental offices where we offer cosmetic dentistry, dental restoration, and more.

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