Dentist for prophylaxis & professional teeth cleaning in Berlin Mitte

Dental Prophylaxis

Oral hygiene and dental health are important, no question about that. Brushing your teeth on a daily basis should be a given, but there are areas of the mouth that you simply can’t reach. Therefore, prophylaxis, i.e. regular professional tooth cleaning at the dentist’s, is a must. In this way, bacterial plaque, tartar and discolouration are removed to help preventing inflammation, caries and periodontal disease.
Make an appointment today for professional prophylaxis at our practice in Berlin Mitte.

 

What is dental prophylaxis?

Dental prophylaxis is performed to prevent possible diseases of the teeth, gums, and jaw. The main focus is the early diagnosis of the two common dental diseases: Caries (caries prophylaxis) and periodontitis (periodontal prophylaxis). This is where professional tooth cleaning (PZR) gets involved. All tooth surfaces, interdental spaces and the gum line get thoroughly cleaned and all hard as well as soft plaque and tartar are being removed. Dark discolouration and deposits are also eliminated during this treatment. Dentists recommend having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year (up to four times a year for people with periodontal disease).
However, there is much more to dental prophylaxis than simply having your teeth professionally cleaned. Prophylaxis includes all preventive measures for the avoidance of diseases, as well as basic recommendations such as correct dental hygiene at home. This involves thorough brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride, regular check-ups at the dentist’s and a healthy diet in general. The aim is to preserve one’s natural teeth for as long as possible, from the first milk tooth of small children to the permanent teeth in old age.

 

How is professional teeth cleaning carried out?

The teeth cleaning is performed directly in our dental practice in Berlin Mitte by a dental prophylaxis assistant or a dental hygienist. It usually takes about one hour. Special instruments are used for this treatment: Ultrasound or Air-Flow for very hard plaque, small scraping instruments for soft plaque below the gum line and dental floss, interdental brushes and polishing strips for the interdental spaces. After your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, they are polished smooth with a brush or rubber cup and special polishing paste. This makes it harder for bacteria and discolouration to settle on the surface of the teeth. Finally, a fluoride gel is applied to the teeth to protect them from caries and hinder the formation of new plaque. The dentist will often give you valuable tips on personal oral hygiene and proper tooth brushing techniques.

Immediately after your teeth have been cleaned, you should not eat anything and only drink water, because the tooth surfaces are still very sensitive at this time. Staining foods such as coffee, tea, wine, cola, carrots, or beetroot are also taboo to counteract new discolouration. You should also refrain from smoking for about eight hours. You will be rewarded with beautiful teeth and a brilliant smile.

Our prophylaxis team at Praxis Mitte in Berlin

Dr. Anna Trojan, MSc.

Vita

Dr. Christina Erdmann, MSc.

Vita

Sheriwet el-Henawy

dentist (prophylaxis)

Josepien Dennesen

dental hygienist

Bich Luu

dental prophylaxis assistant

How much does professional teeth cleaning cost?

The cost of professional teeth cleaning usually varies around 150 euros. The final bill is determined by the amount of work done and the amount of time spent. Additional services such as polishing the edges of fillings, sealing fissures or the removal of plaque from underneath the gums may be charged separately. Although the treatment is recognised as a necessary medical measure, it is still not included in the benefits catalogue of the public health insurances. However, some insurance companies will pay a subsidy for plaque removal, which can vary between 20 and 200 euros per year. In order to receive this subsidy, you must submit the invoice to your health insurance company.

We will be happy to advise you individually on the subject of dental prophylaxis at your next appointment in our dental practice in Berlin Mitte.

What are the benefits of professional teeth cleaning?

Even though most public health insurances do not cover the costs of prophylaxis treatment, professional teeth cleaning is definitely worth it. The advantages of this treatment clearly outweigh the disadvantages – both from a medical and cosmetic point of view. No matter how thoroughly you brush or floss your teeth at home, there are places you simply cannot reach with your own toothbrush. This is especially true for the interdental space, the area below the gum line and the very back of the mouth. Regular tooth cleaning can significantly reduce the risk of dental diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and caries. On the one hand, it ensures improved oral health, and on the other hand, it achieves a beautiful, aesthetic side effect of noticeably whiter teeth by removing discolouring plaque.

For whom is dental prophylaxis particularly relevant?

Generally, professional dental cleaning is important for everyone, from the child to the elderly. In addition, the following groups in particular should receive dental prophylaxis several times a year (their individual recall interval is best determined individually by their dentist) to ensure optimal, healthy oral hygiene:

  • Wearers of dental braces and retainers
  • Wearers of dentures
  • Patients with particularly misaligned teeth
  • Patients with diabetes
  • Patients with periodontal disease
  • Patients with a predisposition to caries
  • Smokers
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women

How should daily dental care and prophylaxis be carried out at home?

In addition to a healthy diet (low in sugar and acid) and regular visits to the dentist (every six to twelve months), the following steps should be part of your daily oral hygiene routine in order to preserve the beautiful brightness of your natural teeth:

  • Brushing your teeth twice a day for three minutes, preferably with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and an electric toothbrush
  • Thoroughly cleaning the spaces between your teeth with dental floss and/or interdental brushes.
  • Cleaning the tongue with a tongue brush or tongue scraper
  • Regular use of antibacterial mouthwashes

 

Do you have any further questions about prophylaxis and professional teeth cleaning?

We will be happy to personally advise you in our Mitte dental practice in Berlin and answer all your questions about dental treatments. Make an appointment with us today for a prophylaxis consultation and professional teeth cleaning. We look forward to your visit!