Also called dental cleanings or oral cleanings, there are various types of teeth cleanings. Depending on the amount of tartar and plaque build-up on teeth, a dentist will perform one of these types of teeth cleanings:

• Prophylaxis dental cleaning – The word prophylaxis means “to prevent disease.” These teeth cleanings clean healthy teeth to prevent them from becoming affected by gum disease or tooth decay issues. 
• Scaling and root planing cleaning – Also called deep cleanings, this type of teeth cleaning cleans the teeth and gum pockets to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. Deep cleanings for gingivitis are typically completed in a single dental appointment. Deep cleanings for periodontitis may require multiple appointments.
• Periodontal maintenance cleaning – This type of teeth cleaning helps treat gum disease. Like scaling and root planing, it removes excess plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and gum pockets. What sets periodontal maintenance cleanings apart is that they are usually performed more often than other dental cleanings.
• Debridement cleaning – This type of teeth cleaning is the most intense, cleaning teeth that have copious amounts of plaque and tartar. Since plaque hardens into tartar and large amounts of tartar are especially stubborn, an electrical tool loosens tartar during debridement cleanings.

Teeth checkup services are essential because patients need trusted dentists to check their teeth, and to recommend what type of oral cleaning they need and how often they need them done. Dental cleanings are necessary to ensure that a patient’s teeth and gums are healthy. There is also a connection between oral health and overall health, so regular teeth cleanings can improve overall well-being.