Dental care is gaining widespread attention as more people realize the importance of a beautiful smile. And dental cleaning is among the procedures that people seek. Even though aesthetic dentistry is leading the field, preventive dentistry procedures like teeth cleaning are not losing their value. This is because they are imperative to the general health of your teeth and gums.
Surprisingly, even people who get implants and veneers still opt for the procedure. And contrary to popular belief, teeth cleaning does not refer to oral hygiene and maintenance that you do at home. This is a multi-step procedure that a professional performs for the well-being of your oral health.
What is teeth cleaning?
Teeth cleaning is a professional treatment where your dentist uses special materials and tools to deep-clean your teeth. The process takes on average around 30 minutes and it is best for patients to opt for the treatment twice a year.
It is not an invasive procedure and is typically painless. So, you will not need local anesthesia for the procedure. The purpose of teeth cleaning is to remove plaque build-up and tartar in areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush.
Although many people take good care of their teeth, brushing twice a day is simply not enough. Many people do not even know the right mechanism for teeth brushing and so over the months, plaque builds up that later develops to cavities.
Dentist teeth cleaning
Professional teeth cleaning procedures will consist of multiple steps. These include:
1. Physical examination
Any dental procedure will always begin with a physical evaluation where your dentist examines your teeth and gums. Your dentist performed this step using a mirror to check for any signs of disease.
This is important because if you do have dental issues such as gingivitis, inflammation, or cavities; your dentist will have to address those before starting the teeth cleaning.
But if you wish to ignore treating any present dental issues, there will be no issues going straight to teeth cleaning. The only exception to this is when the issue poses risks to the procedure.
2. Plaque and tartar removal
To begin, let us first differentiate between plaque and tartar. In simple terms, if plaque builds up over a long period of time, it can turn into tartar. Which is a material that has a rough texture and is much harder to remove.
In fact, once your plaque turns into tartar there is nothing you can do to remove it at home. You will have to seek professional treatment. You have to make sure you brush your teeth constantly to prevent tartar from occurring.
Plaque on the other hand is a biofilm of bacteria that is very easy to remove considering it has a soft texture. Plaque comes from bacterial build-up due to poor dental hygiene. If your food gets stuck in the teeth, bacteria begin to feed on it and grow in numbers. While doing this, bacteria excrete byproducts that can erode the enamel, leading to cavities.
Your dentist removes plaque and tartar using a special scaler to safely remove the stubborn biofilm. Depending on how much tartar build-up you have, this process can take little time or a longer period to complete.
3. Cleaning with a special toothpaste
The final step of a teeth cleaning session is to brush your teeth. Of course, using special materials and equipment. For one, the toothpaste has a sandy texture due to the presence of special grains in it. This rough texture has an exfoliating effect on the teeth.
Especially when coupled with an electric toothbrush of high power. The due can safely polish your teeth. But do not try doing this at home due to the abrasive nature of the toothpaste, it is only safe two do twice a year and under the supervision of a professional.
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Teeth cleaning vs. teeth whitening
They are two different dental procedures that serve different purposes.
Teeth cleaning is a preventive dental procedure that involves removing plaque, tartar, and other debris from the teeth and gums. It is typically performed by a dental hygienist during a routine dental check-up and is important for maintaining good oral health. The procedure involves using specialized tools to remove buildup from the teeth and gums and is usually completed in about 30 minutes to an hour.
Teeth whitening, on the other hand, is a cosmetic dental procedure that is designed to improve the appearance of teeth by removing stains and discolorations. This can be done using a variety of techniques, such as bleaching or using special whitening products. Teeth whitening is typically performed by a dentist or dental hygienist and can take several sessions to achieve the desired results.
While teeth cleaning and teeth whitening are two different procedures, they can often be performed together to achieve optimal oral health and appearance. Teeth cleaning helps to remove any buildup on the teeth that could interfere with the teeth whitening process, while teeth whitening can help to improve the overall appearance of the teeth after they have been cleaned.
Can I opt for teeth cleaning with dental prosthetics?
General hygiene is advisable regardless of the procedure you opt for. Many people have the misconception that because porcelain and other materials don’t decay, oral hygiene isn’t necessary. But while tartar build-up won’t directly harm the prosthetic, it will harm the tissue around it leading to gingivitis and other complications that could harm your prosthetic; its stability, and durability. Whether you get the Hollywood Smile, Dental Implants, or dentures; it’s advisable to go for teeth cleaning every once in a while.
How long does a teeth cleaning take
The length of time a teeth cleaning takes can vary depending on several factors, such as the individual’s oral health, the amount of plaque and tartar buildup present, and the specific procedures performed by the dentist or dental hygienist.
In general, a routine teeth cleaning appointment usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete. During this time, the dental hygienist will typically perform a thorough cleaning of the teeth, removing any plaque or tartar buildup using specialized tools. They may also polish the teeth and provide instructions on proper oral hygiene techniques.
However, if a patient has significant buildup of plaque or tartar, or if they have gum disease, the cleaning may take longer. In some cases, multiple appointments may be required to complete the cleaning process.
It’s important to note that the time it takes to complete a teeth cleaning can vary, so it’s best to speak with your dentist or dental hygienist to get a more accurate estimate based on your individual needs.
Can teeth cleaning whiten my teeth?
Teeth cleaning can only reverse yellowing and discoloration that occurs on the surface. If due to smoking or constant use of coffee your teeth gain a yellowish hue, teeth cleaning cannot reverse that. This is because the procedure does not contain elements that can penetrate the enamel.
The takeaway
Teeth cleaning is a professional session that deals with removing plaque from teeth. It aims to prevent the formation of oral cavities, inflammations, or infections. Despite being effective, teeth cleaning can’t offer other benefits such as removing stains underneath the enamel. If this is what you’re after, you can consider other procedures such as teeth whitening or the Hollywood Smile that could offer better results for this purpose.
If you’re interested in either the Hollywood Smile procedure, teeth cleaning, or teeth whitening; contact our experts at Dentakay. We’ll offer you a free online consultation to address all your concerns.
