Fight decay and gum disease with professional teeth cleaning in Thibodaux, LA

So, you consistently brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss every day? Congratulations! We at Acadia Family Dentistry are always happy to hear when patients have developed excellent, healthy oral habits. As much as we applaud you for doing so much for the health of your smile and your well-being, it is still imperative that you undergo professional teeth cleaning at our office in Thibodaux, LA. 

The “standard” cleaning: A cornerstone of oral health 

We recommend visits to our office for preventative or maintenance care at least once every six months. These semi-annual visits include an examination by our dentist, Dr. Jared Palmer, and cleaning by one of our dental professionals. Consistent, routine cleanings are important even with excellent home hygiene; plaque is constantly forming on your teeth. It can build up in hard-to-reach areas even among the most thorough brushers and flossers. Additionally, when plaque is allowed to harden and become tartar or calculus, no brush or floss product will be able to remove it. 

Tartar removal requires specialized instruments and training on how to use these instruments available at the dentist’s office. We’ll lift plaque and bacteria from the teeth and the gumline. It’s also an excellent opportunity for our team to answer any questions you may have about care at home and to recommend products that make the process even easier and more effective. 

A “deep” clean: Scaling and root planing (SRP)

Some patients may require a deeper, more thorough cleaning. Likewise, new challenges to oral health can present themselves. You may require scaling and root planing at some point due to changes to your health, which can even be brought on by the presence of new medical conditions like diabetes. SRP is generally recommended for patients with active gum disease or periodontal disease. 

To eradicate harmful bacteria and inflammation and to encourage the healthy reattachment of gums to teeth, scaling involves removing sticky plaque and hard tartar from underneath the gumline. Our skilled professionals use a handheld tool or scaler to gently and precisely remove these deeper, harmful substances. The “planing” in the SRP procedure involves smoothing out the exposed surfaces of the teeth roots after the plaque and other debris and deposits have been removed. These smoother root surfaces won’t attract bacteria and plaque in the way unaltered, rough areas might. Additionally, antibacterial rinses may be used to assure that any lingering plaque is removed. 

The benefits of preventive cleanings 

Partly, these straightforward procedures prevent the need for more extensive surgical treatments. Generally, more extensive treatment is more invasive, traumatic, time-consuming, and costly. Furthermore, cleaning procedures help you to preserve the natural teeth that developed with you. Gum disease in its earliest stages can be fully reversed and resolved, non-invasively. For the health and beauty of your smile, schedule an appointment at our office in Thibodaux, LA, today.