Teeth Cleanings Dental cleanings are typically a patients favorite appointment in a dental office. Beyond just making your teeth shine and feel squeaky clean, a prophylaxis (the technical term) is used to promote a healthy dentition and gum health. Most people don't realize what happens when they miss a cleaning or two. First an foremost tartar builds up!!! Dental plaques are soft and easily removed at home with proper brushing and flossing techniques. However, tartar is calcified and adheres to the teeth so well that no amount of brushing or flossing will do the job. This is where your dentist or dental hygienist come into play. There are specialized dental instruments that can remove these deposits. This is not just important for helping removed stains caused by dental tartar, but also to remove the colonies of bacteria living on these hard deposits. If these continue to grow, over time it can lead to gum disease such as gingivitis or even periodontal disease.