What Is Teeth Cleaning?
We’ve all likely heard of it before, but what is a teeth cleaning exactly? A teeth cleaning, also called a prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar from teeth by a dental professional. It involves scaling and polishing the teeth with specialized dental equipment. Professional dental cleanings are necessary to maintain good oral health and prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other oral issues.
Comprehensive Teeth Cleaning
A comprehensive teeth cleaning, known as a traditional dental cleaning or prophylaxis, is an important part of maintaining dental health. This common dental procedure follows a comprehensive dental examination, where your oral condition is evaluated clinically and with the aid of dental X-rays. Your dentist or dental hygienist will clean, polish, and remove bacterial plaque and tartar from the teeth and above the gumline.
Prosthetic Denture Cleaning
Prosthetic dentures are used to replace missing teeth and restore smiles back to their natural appearance and function. Like natural teeth, dentures need to be checked and cleaned regularly by a dental professional. Special dental equipment, such as ultrasonic cleaners, are used to help remove plaque buildup and bacteria from prosthetic dentures. Dentures should also be cleaned daily at home to remove food debris and bacteria, and prevent staining.
What Happens During A Teeth Cleaning?
There are several steps to a teeth cleaning procedure. Here’s what you can expect:
Assess Your Oral Health
How do dentists clean teeth? They first start by performing a thorough clinical evaluation to assess your oral health. Your teeth and gums will be examined for any issues, such as tooth decay, inflammation, abscesses, or other abnormalities.
Remove Plaque and Tartar Build-Up
Bacterial plaque and tartar will be removed from your teeth using specialized tools. This is often accomplished with traditional metal scalers and/or an ultrasonic scaler, which uses high-frequency vibrations and water to remove buildup and tooth stains.
Shine and Smooth Your Teeth
Once plaque and tartar are removed, your teeth will be polished with a special toothpaste and soft rubber polishing tool. This helps remove stains and smooth your teeth giving it a nice shine.
Clean Between Your Teeth with Floss
Floss will be used between each tooth to remove any remaining plaque or debris. You will also be instructed on how to properly floss and take care of your teeth at home.
Fluoride Application or Rinse Treatment
Your dentist may recommend fluoride treatment after a dental cleaning. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Fluoride varnish can be applied to the teeth using a small brush and should remain on the teeth for at least 4-6 hours before brushing off. In most cases, you can eat and drink immediately after fluoride treatment, however certain foods and beverages (i.e. extremely hot/cold, acidic, crunchy, sticky) should be avoided.
Categories of Professional Teeth Cleaning
There are different types of professional teeth cleaning procedures. After evaluation, your dentist will determine the best type of cleaning for you based on your specific oral care needs.
Routine Oral Health Cleaning
A routine oral health cleaning, or prophylaxis, is one of the most common types of professional teeth cleanings. Often performed every 6 months (twice a year), routine cleanings are recommended for individuals with minimal tartar and plaque buildup on teeth surfaces above the gumline.
Periodontal Treatment (Deep Teeth Cleaning)
A deep teeth cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a type of periodontal treatment that is recommended for individuals who have gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis. This type of teeth cleaning is slightly more invasive than a traditional cleaning, as it involves the removal of dental plaque and tartar both above and below the gumline. The tooth’s root surfaces are smoothed to prevent bacterial plaque retention. Deep teeth cleanings may take multiple dental visits to complete.
Maintenance Cleaning for Periodontal Health
Periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically recommended every 3-4 months for individuals with periodontal conditions such as gum disease. Routine maintenance is necessary to monitor and treat the teeth, gums, and surrounding oral structures impacted by gum disease. In general, your dentist will perform an oral cancer screening, examine your teeth and oral tissues, measure your gum pockets, remove plaque and calculus, polish your teeth, and give oral hygiene recommendations.
Teeth Cleaning Aftercare
Your dentist will give teeth cleaning aftercare instructions that are important to follow. Some general guidelines after having a teeth cleaning include:
Be cautious when eating or drinking
In most cases you can eat and drink after a teeth cleaning, unless recommended otherwise by your dental professional. However, it is best to avoid consuming sugary, acidic, crunchy, or sticky foods for the first 4-6 hours after a cleaning.
Monitor potential side effects of local anesthesia
If you had dental local anesthesia (numbing injection) placed for your dental cleaning, be careful when chewing to avoid biting your lips or cheeks. Local anesthesia may take 2-3 hours or longer to completely wear off.
Keep your teeth clean
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, continue to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each session. Be sure to also floss once a day to remove bacteria and food debris between the teeth.
Rinse with salt water
Warm salt water rinses can help reduce oral bacteria and inflammation. If you suffer from gum disease, salt water rinses following a dental cleaning can be beneficial. Place a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swish and expectorate.
Take pain medication
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort following a teeth cleaning, your dentist may recommend taking an over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen.
Avoid poor oral habits
If you smoke tobacco, do your best to break the habit to improve both your oral condition and overall health.
4 Key Benefits Of Dental Cleaning
A teeth cleaning offers many health benefits. Check out the top benefits of a dental cleaning below:
Protect Against Gum Disease
Oral bacteria buildup is one of the primary causes of oral diseases. Teeth cleaning health is important to fight off diseases like gum disease by removing harmful bacteria. Protection against gum disease is important for maintaining a healthy smile and reducing the risk of systemic health issues like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular disease, which have all been linked to periodontal disease. Gum disease can also lead to issues including bad breath, gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss.
Reduce the Risk of Cavities
During your teeth cleaning, your dental professional will evaluate your mouth and note any issues including cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer. Early detection of oral health problems can lead to better treatment outcomes.
Maintain Fresh Breath
Persistent bad breath can be a sign that something is not normal. Removal of plaque and tartar can fight off bad breath as it is commonly associated with the accumulation of harmful bacteria. Dental check-ups and teeth cleanings are needed to help keep bacteria at bay.
Achieve a Brighter Smile
Who doesn’t love a bright smile? A teeth cleaning can help you achieve a brighter smile by eliminating plaque, tartar, and external stains from your teeth. Teeth staining is common from the foods and beverages we consume, in addition to tartar buildup which has a yellow color in appearance.
What Is The Most Effective Method For Cleaning Your Teeth At Home?
Along with your bi-annual teeth cleaning, it is important to clean your teeth daily at home. There are many effective ways for cleaning your teeth at home, including:
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently:
The type of toothbrush you use and how you use it plays a huge role in your oral hygiene. Avoid using medium or hard-bristled toothbrushes which can cause gum irritation and damage. Be sure to angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards your gum line and use gentle circular strokes to remove bacteria and food particles. Ask your dental professional for brushing recommendations to improve your oral hygiene routine.
Use an antibacterial mouthwash:
An antibacterial mouthwash can help promote healthy teeth and gums by reducing bacteria and breaking down plaque buildup. Mouthwash is also helpful in adding a fresh scent to your breath.
Brush all tooth surfaces:
Make sure to brush all of the surfaces of your teeth, including the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!
Perfect your flossing technique:
It is recommended to floss at least once a day to remove bacteria and food debris in-between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Gently slide the floss between your teeth and form a C-shape while going around the sides of the teeth below the gum line. In general, regular string floss tends to be more effective in removing plaque than floss picks.
Consider switching to an electric toothbrush:
In some cases your dentist may recommend you to use an electric toothbrush, which has been shown to aid in better plaque removal. Electric toothbrushes can be particularly beneficial for individuals with braces or those with limited manual dexterity.
Expert Dental Cleaning
What does a teeth cleaning consist of? One of the main goals of a dental cleaning is to remove harmful bacteria from your oral cavity and provide oral health education for maintaining your smile at home. Here’s what you can look forward to at your next dental cleaning:
Guidance for Oral Hygiene
After your teeth, gums, and mouth are evaluated for any oral issues, your dental professional will give personalized oral hygiene guidance to maintain a healthy smile. You may be shown brushing and flossing techniques, and given advice on healthy dietary habits and how to best care for your teeth and any dental restorations or appliances you use. They can also recommend good oral care products to meet your specific needs.
Elimination of Plaque
Plaque can harm your dental health and promote inflammation not only in the mouth but throughout the entire body. Your dental professional will use special tools such as a scaler or ultrasonic device to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. While plaque should be removed daily from your teeth at home with good oral hygiene practices, a dental professional’s expertise and special tools are necessary to properly remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and treat any existing oral diseases.
Elimination of Calculus (Tartar)
As with dental plaque, calculus (tartar) is also removed professionally at your teeth cleaning using special tools. Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that contains bacteria and minerals from saliva. If tartar is not removed properly and within a timely manner, tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease, and a whole host of other diseases can occur.
Teeth Polishing
Once plaque and tartar are removed, a special toothpaste is used with an air motor soft rubber cup to polish your teeth and remove any extra stains and debris. You’ll leave your appointment with clean and shiny teeth!
Great Lakes Family Dental Group offers Teeth Cleaning
Looking for an expert dentist cleaning teeth? Great Lakes Family Dental Group offers top-notch dental care and cleanings for your entire family. Our offices offer affordable prices for a teeth cleaning with insurance and without. Contact us today at one of our convenient locations to schedule your appointment with our expert team of dental professionals.
Conclusion
What is a teeth cleaning? It’s a necessary dental procedure that helps keep your smile shining bright and healthy. Routine dental cleanings are performed by your dentist or dental hygienist, who help remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. Professional dental cleanings and daily oral hygiene practices at home like brushing and flossing are key to your overall health.
