What is Dental Prophylaxis?

Dental prophylaxis, commonly—but mistakenly—referred to as a dental “cleaning,” is a preventive dental procedure aimed at removing plaque, stains, and calculus (“tartar”) to reduce the risk of dental diseases like cavities and gum disease.

By the American Dental Association definition, a prophylaxis (ADA Code D1110) is NOT done to treat diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, or tooth decay; it is done in the ABSENCE of disease.

Unfortunately, many dental insurance companies deny appropriate therapeutic procedures to treat disease and downcode other appropriate procedure codes and reimbursement fees to the prophylaxis code. Consequently, and unfortunately, many dental practices opt to give in to the pressures of insurance company policies rather than billing appropriately for appropriate therapies; billing for services other than what is actually provided in order to get dental insurance coverage is typically considered to be fraudulent activity, which is why our office proudly uses appropriate billing codes regardless of insurance policies to which we are not contracted providers.

Incidentally, except for insurance company policies, there is no standard period of time that should pass between dental prophylaxes, and the intervals should be based on each individual patient’s needs and desires. For example, many of our patients choose to have dental prophylaxes more frequently than every six months, and some may be able to go a year or more without a prophylaxis.

Why is Prophylaxis Important?

• Preventing Gum Disease: Regular removal of plaque and tartar helps prevent gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
• Avoiding Cavities: Plaque produces acids that erode the enamel, leading to cavities. Regular cleanings help in plaque removal, thereby preventing cavities.
• Enhancing Smile: Clean, stain-free teeth undoubtedly enhance one’s smile and overall appearance.

What Happens During a Prophylaxis Session?

• Removal of Calculus (“Tartar”) above the gumline: Over time, plaque that isn’t removed hardens into tartar, which can’t be eliminated with regular brushing. A dental professional will use specialized instruments to carefully remove this tartar both above and slightly below the gum line.
• Removal of Plaque: Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria and food particles. If not removed, these bacteria produce toxins that inflame and irritate the gums, leading to dental diseases.
• Teeth Polishing: After removing plaque and tartar, the dental professional will polish the teeth. This step helps eliminate stains and makes it harder for plaque to stick to the teeth.

Why do I need to come in for a cleaning instead of just brushing them really well myself?

A good friend of mine asked me this question just the other day.  It’s worth writing about because he voiced the same question that many think but don’t express.  Quite frankly, this is not an unreasonable question because unless you’re in the dental profession, most people don’t understand the skills that are involved a professional dental “cleaning” and that they are necessary to treat and prevent site-specific dental disease.

Dentists, dental hygienists, television, radio, and the internet are doing a terrific job at educating the public about the importance of good home dental hygiene.  Almost all of our patients today know what a toothbrush is, have at least heard that soft brushes are best, have entertained the thought of purchasing an electric toothbrush, and have a working knowledge of many of the commercially available toothpaste and mouthwashes on the market!  This is in stark contrast to dentistry of 20 years ago or so when many people did not know that they need to brush at least once daily.  Despite this overwhelming education of the lay public, the media does a relatively poor job of describing the importance of professional dental hygiene visits in removing the bacteria and tartar that can’t be seen in the bathroom mirror and in identifying obstacles to proper home hygiene practices.

Dental plaque is comprised of secretions from the normal flora of the mouth that is necessary for the healthy digestion of food.  It develops daily and clings to rough areas of teeth, around restoration margins, and between the roots of susceptible teeth.  Plaque is the culprit in the development of inflammation of the gums and tooth decay.  Since plaque is very tenacious and sticky, it cannot be removed without mechanical debridement. Proper toothbrushing does an adequate job of removing plaque from easily accessible areas, and efficient thorough flossing can provide reasonable plaque removal in between the teeth.  The problem is that nobody, including even dentists, brushes, and flosses perfectly on a routine basis.  In fact, we see some bleeding points on routine exams in even the best and most compliant hygiene patients.

Need professional teeth cleaning?

Feel free to contact Dr. Huff to schedule an appointment at his Dover, OH office.