The Importance of Dental Prophylaxisby Dr. Todd Wortman

Regular, professional tooth cleanings, sometimes called dental prophylaxis, form one of the most

important pillars of dental health. A normal prophylaxis treatment will include evaluation of

personal oral hygiene, instructions for brushing and flossing teeth, scaling above the gum to get rid of

plaque and tartar, debridement of tartar located below the gum when necessary, polishing of the teeth, and

periodontal charting.

In order to make sure that dental disease is diagnosed early, patients should be sure to schedule regular dental cleanings. Cleaning tartar off the teeth during an office

visit may be done with a hand-held tool or may be assisted by an ultrasonic device which breaks up the tartar for easier removal. While many patients with good oral hygiene need cleanings only twice a year, patients with particularly high rates of tartar buildup may need prophylactic visits as often as every two

months to prevent periodontal inflammation and tooth decay.

About the Author:

Dr. Todd Wortman serves as a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and maintains memberships in

several other professional groups. He currently practices at Todd Wortman, D.D.S., P.C., in New

Rochelle, New York.