Many people fear teeth cleanings due to the poking, unusual noises, and pain in the jaw. However, teeth cleaning is worth the discomfort to get perfect white teeth.
Being fully aware of how the procedure unfolds helps the tension wear off, hence appreciating the pearly white outcomes. This blog explains what teeth cleaning is and how dentists perform it.
What are teeth cleanings?
Smoking and drinking beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine can permanently stain teeth, and these stains are challenging to eliminate at home. The plaque may be the cause of gum irritation (gingivitis). When the bacteria that produce acid multiply and surround mineral compounds, an inflammation previously unthreatening might turn into acute inflammation, “Periodontitis”.
There are some places of the mouth that are difficult to access, even with proper care and dental hygiene. A more thorough cleaning of the gaps between teeth and behind the teeth in the back of the mouth is provided by professional teeth cleaning. All stains and plaque will be eliminated during one visit. Let’s go through the steps of the teeth-cleaning procedure.
Step 1: Dyeing the Stains
The dentist uses a unique dye to identify the tooth plaque. This helps the dentist gain insight into the health status of the teeth. Plaque-affected teeth are shown during the dyeing process so that they receive the proper care.
This phase provides patients with valuable knowledge, even for their oral hygiene at home. They may concentrate on and carefully clean the areas of their teeth where plaque is accumulated. Consequently avoiding residue accumulation.
Step 2: Eliminating Tartar
Cleaning dental roots that are visible and any fillings and crown edges that are in place are all essential for professional teeth cleaning. The dentist targets teeth with both hard and soft stains, including those brought on by tobacco, red wine, coffee, tea, etc.
However, tartar forms when plaque adheres to the teeth for an extended period of time and continues to calcify. Tartar may create a fertile ground for germs and lead to gum irritation if it isn’t eliminated.
This cycle occasionally leads to serious periodontitis. However, the dentist quickly and painlessly removes tartar using ultrasonic scalers during the professional teeth cleaning session.
Tartar cannot be removed with the usual at-home hygiene routine; nevertheless, a professional “teeth cleaning” procedure is an effective way to remove any buildup or tartar.
Step 3: Cleaning Using Airflow
Additionally, airflow softly cleans and removes stains from the surface of the teeth. With this type of specialised teeth cleaning equipment, dentists can even access parts of the mouth that are normally totally inaccessible, such as above the gums, gum pockets, and behind the teeth. Plaque is then prevented from these places.
Teeth discolorations are most commonly brought on by food, alcohol, and tobacco usage. Dentists use powder jet devices and the Airflow-method to remove this delicate plaque. This contemporary equipment employs a unique cleaning powder to remove even resistant plaque. It uses a mixture of water, air, and salt with great pressure to accomplish that. Even stains in the teeth’s inaccessible areas can be eliminated using this method.
Step 4: Polishing
Plaque is less likely to accumulate on the teeth if the teeth’s surfaces are smooth. That is the reason the teeth must receive a thorough polishing following the removal of the plaque and discolorations. This procedure is not just for the teeth. Even the fillings’ edges can be smoothed and polished to prevent further accumulations of plaque.
Step 5: Fluoridation
The final stage of professional teeth cleaning is “fluoridation.” This step is crucial for the prevention of plaque as fluoride reduces the loss of minerals from tooth enamel, increases its resistance to acids, and lowers the risk of cavities.
Teeth Cleaning Frequency
Professional dental cleanings are arranged twice a year. However, the dentist may conduct further exams during the patients’ visits based on the patient’s oral health status. The dentist may suggest molar sealants for kids to aid in the prevention of cavities in areas that are difficult to reach in the mouth.
The goal is to maintain visiting the dentist for routine dental cleanings and avoid issues, regardless of whether patients require any further treatments or not. Patients will then eventually feel excited and even look forward to their routine dental visits once they commit and start noticing satisfying and healthy results.