Cleaning & Prevention

Routine teeth cleaning and prevention help reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Addie Chang, DMD, a family dentist, and her team offer teeth cleaning and preventive dentistry to people of all ages, including periodontal therapy and oral cancer screening. Make an appointment for yourself or your child today, by calling the office in Tukwila, Washington, or clicking the online booking feature.

What are cleaning and prevention?

Cleaning and prevention use a combination of routine checkups and screenings to catch potentially serious oral health problems early on before they present obvious symptoms. Intervention and treatment reduce your risk of complications while encouraging optimal oral health. 

What services fall under the banner of cleaning and prevention?

At Addie Chang, DMD, the team offers various preventive dental services, including:

Digital X-rays

Digital X-rays use electronic sensors and low amounts of ionizing radiation to capture high-quality photos of your tooth roots, jaw, and alveolar bone (the bone that anchors your teeth). The team at Addie Chang, DMD, offers several types of X-rays, including cone beam computed-tomography (CBCT) and panoramic X-rays.

Oral cancer screening

Your provider examines the soft tissues in your mouth, including your gums and tongue, looking for abnormal growths. If they identify anything unusual, they collect a biopsy and send it to a nearby lab for testing. 

Professional teeth cleaning

Teeth cleaning removes plaque –– a thin film of food particles, saliva, and bacteria –– from beneath your gums and the surfaces of your teeth. After cleaning your teeth, your dental hygienist polishes and flosses them. They also gently probe your gums, checking for signs of periodontal disease.

Periodontal therapy

If you have gum disease, like gingivitis or periodontitis, the team might recommend periodontal therapy. Periodontal therapy uses a combination of targeted deep cleanings, prescription antibiotics, and home care to keep your gums healthy and problem-free.

Patient education

If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, it’s crucial to brush your teeth twice daily and regularly floss. 

After an oral exam, your dentist can provide tips and tricks to improve your home care regimen. Taking the time to clean your teeth and gums is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of common oral health problems.

How often should I schedule cleaning and prevention?

At Addie Chang, DMD, the team recommends scheduling cleaning and prevention every six months. It’s important to follow this schedule, even if your teeth and gums appear healthy. Cavities and gum disease don’t always present obvious symptoms, so you might be at risk but not know it.

Schedule cleaning and prevention at the practice of Addie Chang, DMD, today, by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature.