Teeth Cleanings

Prophylaxis, which is also known as regular cleaning, is probably what you think of when considering going for a dental checkup. During a regular cleaning the dentist will remove plaque, calculus (hardened plaque) and stains from teeth.

This cleaning occurs only on the visible part of the tooth, meaning the dentist will not go underneath your gums to clean out any material, because for the typical, healthy patient is not necessary. In our office, we’ll pair your regular cleanings (recommended twice a year) with an oral exam by the dentist and updates on x-rays as needed. We will also check the health of your gums and surrounding tissues at these visits, which take about one hour.

​It’s important to understand that regular cleaning is only recommended for patients who have generally good dental health and do not suffer from bone loss or gum problems like gum bleeding, gum recession or gum infection.

Deep cleaning or scaling & root planning

Scaling & root planing (aka deep cleaning) is a procedure needed if you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease. This treatment is quite different from prophylaxis. Deep cleaning involves removal of tartar, bacteria, and toxic deposits from the root of a tooth.

Many people can have periodontal disease and not even know it. Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• bleeding gums
• bad breath
• receding gums
• swollen/red gums

However, many people do not notice any symptoms at all. That’s why it may come as a surprise when your dentist recommends scaling & root planing instead of a regular cleaning. It’s important to understand that this procedure is vital to getting periodontal disease under control and avoid future tooth loss.

Dental cleanings and examinations for children

Our dental team works with patients of all ages and knows how to make our youngest patients feel comfortable while in the dental chair. Families all over Illinois visit our dental office to for their child to receive a proper teeth cleaning. We advise that teeth cleanings and exams begin from a very young age. It helps to ensure that baby teeth grow in properly and remain healthy, and the child will get used to building healthy oral hygiene habits. People often underestimate how important healthy baby teeth are. Cavities and gum disease can affect children, just like adults. The difference is that children are less capable of understanding or dealing with discomfort. We advise parents throughout Chicago to  bring their children for dental  exams and cleanings regularly,  twice a year. This way cavities can be prevented by removing harmful plaque and bacteria. And of course, less cavities equals less stress for the child. 

While performing the teeth cleaning, our team will be sure to practice gentle dentistry. Our staff knows how to build a connection with our young patients and make them feel more relaxed during their dental appointments. Many parents say that visiting the dentist at Archer Dental becomes fun instead of stressful.

Here is another tip for the parents: read some stories about going to the dentist and play games by teaching children how to examine their toy’s teeth.

These little steps guarantee to make your child feel comfortable when getting their own teeth cleaned. Doing so twice a year guarantees that the  baby teeth are more likely to stay in until they are supposed to fall out, and their adult teeth will also stay healthier. If you have questions about scheduling an appointment for your child call 773-581-1345.