Prophylaxis

A dental prophylaxis — commonly just called a "cleaning" — is performed by a hygienist or dentist on patients with healthy gums or only mild gingivitis. It involves removing soft plaque and hardened calculus from above and just below the gumline using ultrasonic and hand instruments, polishing the teeth to remove surface stains, and often applying a fluoride varnish. Most adults benefit from a prophylaxis every six months, though high-risk patients may need them more frequently. Patients with active periodontitis usually require a deeper procedure called scaling and root planing rather than a routine prophy.