When A Regular Cleaning Isn’t Enough
“I need to call Smile Dental Clinics and make myself an appointment for a cleaning.” Do you say that to yourself and then get sidetracked by work, kids, and other responsibilities? We know how busy life can be, and it is easy to put off appointments in favor of daily matters that are important to attend to. However, if you have been saying that sentence to yourself for years, it is time to drop what you are doing and call our office for an appointment.
What is Full Mouth Debridement?
If you have not had a cleaning by a dentist in a few years, there is the possibility that you may need an additional treatment before our staff is able to give you a proper cleaning and oral evaluation. We might suggest a full mouth debridement (FMD), which removes layers of plaque and tartar and is the deepest cleaning you can get from a dentist. It can be considered a first treatment, as it needs to be completed before any other treatment or cleaning is suggested.
Can I Have a Dental Cleaning Instead?
During a regular dental cleaning, the dental hygienist uses tools to scrape minor plaque off of the teeth. Your teeth are then polished and shined back to a smooth finish. Following the cleaning, one of our dentists will perform an oral exam checking for gum disease and signs of decay. If a patient has too much plaque and tartar on their teeth, our staff will not be able to effectively clean them properly or view problem areas. This is when FMD is suggested. Following FMD, our staff will be able to perform the regular cleaning and oral exam to ensure no additional treatment is needed.
If you have been delaying a visit to our Phoenix, AZ office, we encourage you to make an appointment today! With the end of the year quickly approaching, now is the perfect time for you to take advantage of your dental benefits before you lose them at the end of the year. We look forward to seeing you soon!
