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Preventative Dental Care

Fife Dental Care provides general dentistry services to the Rio Rancho and Albuquerque area, offering dental cleanings, tooth restorations, cosmetic dentistry, and more. We have a focus on preventative care, offering dental services that will protect your teeth and gums and ensure good oral health.

One common teeth cleaning procedure offered to our patients is non-surgical periodontal therapy, a process that removes stubborn tartar build-up from the surface of teeth and their roots. If regular dental cleanings (prophy) are not enough, periodontal therapy can prevent the spread of infection and gum disease.

Why is Periodontal Therapy Important?

Throughout the day, your teeth acquire a film of dental plaque, a soft substance made up of bacteria and other organic materials. This plaque is removed by tooth brushing and flossing. However, plaque can become calcified by absorbing minerals from saliva, creating tartar.

Tartar cannot be removed with regular brushing; tartar removal requires a visit to the dentist’s office. Additionally, plaque can tend to develop along the gum line or behind the gum pockets, areas that are difficult to reach at home. Dental scaling and root planing allow the dentist or hygienist to clean these hard-to-reach areas.

Is Periodontal Therapy Different From Tooth Cleaning?

The difference between dental prophylaxis (cleaning) and periodontal therapy is that periodontal therapy is more intensive, like a deep cleaning of the mouth. As the name suggests, dental prophylaxis is a preventative measure for keeping a mouth clean and healthy. Periodontal therapy procedures such as dental scaling and root planing are treatments to prevent infection from spreading.

If you’d like to know more or need to schedule an appointment for periodontal care, contact us today!

New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome!