Dental Cleaning in La Jolla, CA

It’s important to maintain a regular teeth cleaning schedule in order to keep your mouth healthy and prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. But what is the difference between a regular dental cleaning and a deep cleaning? Are dental cleanings covered by insurance? Most La Jolla, CA families need to plan a dental cleaning every six months. At Harmony Dental Group we offer both preventative (prophylactic) regular teeth cleanings as well as deep cleanings (scaling and root planing), depending on the health needs of your smile.

The Importance of Routine Dental Cleanings

Having your teeth professionally cleaned every six months is important for maintaining your oral health. A dental prophylaxis, more commonly known as a preventative or regular cleaning, involves removing plaque and tartar deposits from the surfaces of the teeth above the gumlines and just along the edges of the gums.

The process of cleaning your teeth helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria that can lead to gum disease and cavities. For most people, regular cleanings should be performed every six months. These preventative cleanings help to keep your mouth healthy between checkups.

What Is the Difference Between a Regular Cleaning and Deep Cleaning?

When it comes to dental cleanings, there are two main types: prophylaxis (regular cleaning) and deep cleaning.

• A regular dental cleaning, or prophylaxis, is a type of preventive care that is designed to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and along the edges of the gums. It is a non-invasive procedure that helps keep teeth clean and healthy. Minor buildup and gingivitis are occasionally present, and our La Jolla hygienist will discuss modified home care techniques to prevent or reverse those issues before the next cleaning.
• Deep dental cleanings, also known as periodontal therapy, is a more invasive procedure used to treat gum disease. It involves scaling and root planing, which goes deeper beneath the gum line to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the surfaces of the tooth roots, where gums have detached from the teeth. This type of cleaning also helps prevent further gum disease and is often recommended for those with existing gum issues. Without a deep cleaning, bacterial deposits will continue to contribute to gum and bone deterioration, which could lead to tooth loss.

A regular cleaning is a preventive measure that helps to keep your teeth healthy, while deep cleaning is a more intensive treatment option for those who already have gum disease. Both types of cleanings are important for maintaining good oral health and are recommended depending on your current oral health status.

What to Expect During a Deep Dental Cleaning

When it comes to your oral health, a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, can make all the difference. A regular cleaning is designed to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the surfaces of your teeth, but it doesn’t reach below the gumline. A deep cleaning is needed when plaque and tartar accumulate below the gumline and cause inflammation, leading to periodontal (gum) disease.

During a deep cleaning, our La Jolla dentist or hygienist will use special instruments to clean above and below the gum line. This process removes the bacteria that has built up on the roots of your teeth and allows your gums to heal and reattach to your teeth. During the procedure, you may feel some minor discomfort, but this should pass soon after it is completed. To keep you comfortable, we can also apply local anesthetic to numb those teeth during the procedure.

In most cases, we will clean one half of your mouth at one visit, then the other half of your mouth at a separate appointment. Since deep cleanings take more time and local anesthetic is usually necessary, this process ensures a more comfortable experience for our patients.

A couple of weeks after your deep cleaning, our La Jolla dentist will check your gums to make sure they are beginning to heal properly. You may also be prescribed antibiotics if there is a severe infection present. Our hygienist will give you instructions on how to care for your gums during the healing process, as well as tips for maintaining good oral hygiene in order to prevent future gum disease.

Overall, a deep cleaning can help protect your oral health by removing plaque and tartar buildup, preventing further inflammation and damage to your gums, and ultimately restoring your smile.

Are Dental Cleanings Covered by My Insurance?

When it comes to dental cleanings, most insurance plans will cover the cost of regular cleanings twice a year (every six months). Regular cleanings are important in preventing cavities and gum disease, as well as ensuring healthy gums and teeth, so it’s beneficial for both you and your insurance carrier to have these visits included under your benefits package.

In some cases, a deep cleaning may be necessary. Deep cleanings focus on the area between your gums and teeth where gum disease already exists. If you have gum disease, a deep cleaning is necessary to get rid of bacteria and reduce inflammation, and a preventative cleaning will not be appropriate. This involves the hygienist scaling down into the pockets around the teeth and roots, removing tartar and bacteria from the area. Deep cleanings are usually covered by most insurance plans, though there may be some out-of-pocket costs. Depending on your policy, you may have a copay or deductible to meet in addition to the patient percentage not covered by your insurance policy.

To find out if your insurance plan covers dental cleanings, Harmony Dental Group will contact your insurer to check your policy details. Knowing whether or not your regular dental cleanings are covered by insurance and by how much can help you budget for your visits and stay on top of your oral health.

Which Type of Dental Cleaning Do I Need?

When you visit Harmony Dental Group for your dental exam, our La Jolla dentist will determine the most appropriate cleaning for your smile, based on your gum health.

If you suspect you have gum disease or it’s been over six months since your last checkup, call our office today to reserve your next dental cleaning.

---

Questions Answered on This Page

• The Importance of Routine Dental Cleanings
• What Is the Difference Between a Regular Cleaning and Deep Cleaning?
• What to Expect During a Deep Cleaning
• Are Dental Cleanings Covered by My Insurance?
• Which Type of Dental Cleaning Do I Need?

Related Topics

• Preventative Dentistry
• Dental Exams
• Dental X-Ray

---

Frequently Asked Questions

---

---

Hear From Our Patients

---

Helpful links: WebMD (Dental Care) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)