Routine Cleanings Vs. Deep Cleanings. 

What is the difference between routine Cleaning (Prophylaxis) and Deep Cleaning?

Routine/Prophylaxis Cleaning: Focuses on preventive dental care and maintaining healthy teeth and gums by removing calculus, plaque, and common stains. Normally performed twice a year by a dental hygienist or dentist along with your dental check-up. 

Deep Cleaning: is a procedure designed to help avoid periodontal disease (gum disease). A buildup of calculus and plaque on the crowns and root surfaces of teeth causes periodontal disease. It can begin as localized gingival inflammation and progress to severe disease that significantly damages the soft tissue and the bone that supports the teeth. If left untreated, this disease progresses to the ultimate loss of teeth.

Why have Dental Teeth Cleanings?

Cleaning teeth usually is part of most people’s oral hygiene habits, which involves the removal of dental plaque. Generally, people routinely clean their teeth by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. However, only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove hardened deposits not removed by routine cleaning. A dentist does more than just basic cleaning. They also check for signs of tooth decay and gum disease, which is included in their routine check-up.

Hello for the past three years I stop going to see any dentist.  I do not like them and feel that they are always just out to make their next car payment with your pay check.  That said I started cleaning my own teeth.

I been scraping the tartar/plaque off my own teeth with a small screwdriver.  I think my teeth look really good and I have no dental issues.  However, people that have seem me do this tell me that I am messing up my teeth.  I do not believe this but I would like to hear a third opinion.  Is it possible that I am doing damage to my teeth?

I just want to go in for  dental cleaning.  I have not been to a dentist is a little while and I do not have dental insurance.  Are there dentist that will take me without insurance and just do a cleaning.   I do for a cleaning but my teeth are otherwise find so I do not want to be charged for more services then I need since I will be paying for it.

I want to buy a cheap dental insurance plan.  I just need something for my two cleaning a year and X-rays really.  I never had any cavities or other issues with my teeth but I want to keep it that way.  I do not want to have to pay 30 -40 a month for dental insurance.   That does not make sense to me.   Looking for a cheaper plan they will give me two free cleaning and X-rays.

When getting a second dental opinion how do you know which dentist is correct?

So here is the story.  Last year I was told by the dentist at the time that I needed to have a filling done on one tooth and to have a deep cleaning.  So wanting to make sure I got a second dental opinion from a different dentist. That dentist said that I do not need a filling or a deep cleaning.   Okay so I when to him for just the regular cleaning he said I needed.

Six mouths later he says now I do need to have a filling and a deep cleaning.  He gave me a cost that was much higher then the dentist that I when to before him.  This bother me so I when to another dentist for a second opinion.  That dentist told me that I do not need a deep cleaning and that I do have a very small cavity on my tooth but it was too small to worry about doing a filling on yet.  When different dentist tell you different things how do you know which one is telling  you the truth.  I do not want to feel like I got bate and switched.  Which is how I am feeling.  They tell me what I want to hear the first time then try to get me to do all this expensive dental work the second time I go.   What is up with that?