family of 4 enjoying their balcony overlooking marsh land

CLEANING

Regular dental cleanings by Dr. Koutsioukis or our dental hygienist are part of a proper oral hygiene program. Cleanings help fight plaque, the major cause of tooth decay, gingivitis and serious gum disease.

Why do I need regular dental cleanings?

The fight against plaque is a major component of preventive care, and we can be your main ally in this effort. While daily brushing and flossing are your first line of defense against plaque, the professional cleaning from Dr. Koutsioukis or our dental hygienist is more thorough than the best you can do at home. Even proper brushing alone can’t remove the tartar that accumulates at the gumline. Good hygiene and regular dental cleanings are cost-effective, too. It costs much more to have teeth repaired and replaced than it does to have regular exams and cleanings.

What happens during a regular dental cleaning?

Usually an exam and cleaning are scheduled during the same appointment. Our dental hygienist is an expert at giving teeth this thorough regular cleaning known as a prophylaxis or “prophy”. Stubborn plaque and tartar will be removed with specially designed dental tools. Tartar is the plaque which has hardened at and even below the gumline. Our hygienist can clean tartar below the gumline as well in an intensive cleaning called scaling. Often the last step in the cleaning is polishing.

How often do I need dental cleanings?

Many adults require cleanings every six months. If your mouth is prone to tooth decay, tartar buildup or gum disease, we will recommend more frequent appointments. Contact our team at Spyros A. Koutsioukis, DMD in Greenville, South Carolina for your dental cleaning appointment.

Dr. Spyros A. Koutsioukis, utilizing preventive dentistry services such as dental cleaning to provide healthy beautiful smiles to dental patients in Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville, South Carolina and the surrounding communities.