Teeth Cleaning

What is Teeth Cleaning?

Teeth Cleaning or Dental cleaning is a dental procedure in which teeth is cleaned thoroughly to get rid of plaque from the surface as well as the gum. Oral Health is not only important at providing a good smile but it also helps prevent gum diseases. Most of the gum diseases are in turn indicators for other diseases like heart diseases, diabetes and dementia. So, teeth cleaning will help in detecting other issues plaguing your body.
Brushing and flossing, if done the right way, can eliminate plaque formation to a great extent. But dentists recommend a regular dental cleaning to maintain a good oral heath. It is recommended to have dental cleaning done every 6 months. However those with serious gum issues are recommended to have their teeth professionally cleaned every 3 to 4 months.
Dental cleaning is usually painless and comforting. There is nothing to be apprehensive about. Knowledge about the procedure can help people to deal with the stress of teeth cleaning.

Advantages of Teeth Cleaning

Teeth cleaning have the following advantages:

• The plaque and tartar in the teeth will be removed.
• The patient can smile confidently since teeth cleaning will better aesthetics to the
  teeth.
• It will help get rid of the issues that cause bad mouth odour, providing a fresher
  breath.
• It will also help in the identification of other health problems.

Teeth Cleaning Procedure

The dentist will conduct a physical examination of the entire mouth initially to check for any serious gum problems or any other problems. The teeth cleaning involves the following steps:

• Scaling

This process involves scraping off the plaque and tartar in between the teeth as well as around the gum line. The tartar that is left behind by the scaler is then cleaned using high-powered electric brush and scrubbing toothpaste. The scrubbing action of the toothpaste allows the polishing your teeth and removing any stains. However, this
toothpaste have to be used only under the guidance of the dentist since its regular use can lead to scraping off the enamel.

• Professional Flossing

  Professional Flossing will help to remove any leftover plaque or toothpaste from the previous step. This is performed even though you floss regularly at home since this will allow the dentist to detect any trouble spots in the gum. The mouth is then rinsed using a rinse that contains liquid fluoride. This helps to get rid of any leftovers.

• Fluoride Treatment

This is performed to protect the teeth from cavities for the coming months. Usually a foamy gel is placed in the mouth. It is quite normal to experience gum sensitivity after the cleaning process if you had a lot of bacteria build up.

Post Tooth Cleaning Procedure

• The patient will have to perform certain home care essentials, as given below, after the dental cleaning is done.
• Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly and properly.
• Maintain a healthy diet avoiding food rich in sugar content and acidic food.
• Book an appointment with dental hygienist every 6 months if there is no gum disease and every 3 months if gum diseases persist.
• Professional teeth cleaning helps to maintain good smile, stops cavities from forming and improves overall health.

Authored By Dr Sanjay N - Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Bangalore