Dental Cleaning Procedure and Its Benefits

Dental Cleaning Procedure and Its Benefits

Apr 01, 2020

Dental cleaning is a procedure done by a dental hygienist to remove plaque from teeth and helps prevent dental caries, cavities, and gum problems. This treatment promotes ideal oral health.

Tartar is a mineral substance formed by the build-up and hardening of plaque on the teeth. It has the same color as the tooth, making it difficult to notice.

However, it is known to be a harbor for germs, which can cause dental problems if left unremoved. This creates the need to visit a specialist for a thorough and more in-depth cleaning. Heavy tartar removal should be a painless and straightforward procedure and involves the following steps:

1. Taking a Physical Examination

A physical exam is carried out before the cleaning process. Your specialist will check for any signs of inflamed gums or any potential concern by using a small mirror. If any serious problem is detected, your dental hygienist should consult with your dentist before going forward with the procedure.

2. Plaque and Tartar Removal

Teeth scaling refers to the process of deep cleaning teeth by eliminating layers of materials that have accumulated on a tooth’s surface. A scaler is used to scrape the plaque and tartar stuck between your teeth. After scraping off the hard tartar, the tooth is then polished. Polishing makes your teeth smooth and shiny by removing stains on its surface.

In a scenario where there is too much accumulation of tartar such that scaling is not efficient, debridement is more effective. This technique involves loosening the deposits and removing them from the teeth.

Teeth Polishing Precautions

  • The Journal of Dental Hygiene has warned that people with allergies, respiratory problems, and hypertension should not opt for this treatment.
  • Any oral issue has to be treated first before scaling, and polishing can take place. Some of these issues are receding gums, untreated cavities, teeth sensitivity, and exposed roots.
  • In a case of an exposed cementum or gum recession, specialists recommend the use of a mild polishing

3. Toothpaste Cleaning

After the complete elimination of tartar, an electric brush is used to deep clean your teeth. Professionals prefer using a toothpaste that is similar in taste and smell with the ordinary paste. However, there is a variety of flavors.

4. Expert Flossing

Getting your teeth flossed by a professional will have appealing results compared to flossing at home. More so, it assures you that any leftover plaque is, removed.

5. Rinsing

Rinsing your mouth gets rid of any debris present. A rinse containing liquid fluoride will be given to you by the hygienist.

6. Fluoride treatment

Fluoride treatment is applied to protect your teeth against cavities. The sticky or foamy gel is put inside a mouthpiece fitting the teeth, for a minute. After fluoride application, do not drink, eat, or rinse your mouth before thirty minutes are over. The fluoride varnish painted on your tooth hardens when it comes into contact with your saliva, allowing you to eat immediately after.

Tools Used By Hygienists

The following are gadgets used in dental cleaning:

  • Scalers – Efficient in plaque and tartar scraping
  • Ultrasonic equipment – used to loosen up huge pieces of tartar in a series of tickling vibrations.
  • Polisher – designed to polish a tooth’s surface

Benefits of Dental Cleaning

  • Controls build-up of tartar
  • Prevents formation of cavities
  • Removes stains on the surface
  • Ideal oral health is maintained

Risks

Dental cleaning should be done with care. The brushing should not be vigorous to avoid injuring the gums. Injured gums are vulnerable to bacterial infections, which risk damaging the enamel. The bacteria are also responsible for bleeding gums, soreness, and gingivitis.

Conclusion

Having your teeth cleaned by a pro is comfortable and free of pain. However, people with tartar that is hard to remove are likely to get uncomfortable due to the long periods they open their mouth.

Finding a trustworthy dentist or hygienist with experience in the field of practice is essential and increases the chances of a successful outcome.

Visit 14th Avenue Dentistry today to get your teeth cleaned and polished with qualified professionals. Some of the services we offer include teeth whitening, dental crowns, implants, and dental veneers, among many more. We are committed to providing you with the best dental services.

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