Preventative Care
Professional Teeth Cleanings are About More Than Just Looks
In the field of Dentistry, we have a special term for preventive procedures: prophylaxis, from the Greek word meaning to protect or guard against. Preventative procedures, like dental cleaning, focus on preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
Performed along with routine dental examinations, a professional cleaning can go a long way toward reducing the likelihood of common infections. As your teeth are being cleaned, we use this opportunity to take a closer look at your overall oral health and check for signs of untreated maladies.
Why Are Professional Teeth Cleanings So Important?
Why is it so important to have your teeth professionally cleaned? Over time, teeth tend to build up a layer of plaque and hard deposits (tartar or calculus) that are difficult to remove without special tools. If these deposits are allowed to remain on your tooth surfaces or below the gum line, they can create ideal conditions for bacteria to grow and multiply. The acids produced by this bacteria cause tooth decay and increase the likelihood of gum disease. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to inflammation and infection of the gums, and possibly influence diseases that effect your whole body.
The Professional Teeth Cleaning Procedure
Teeth cleaning is usually performed by a dental hygienist who uses a special set of tools designed specifically for this purpose. Because everyone’s teeth are different, your cleaning will be tailored to your individual needs. However, many cleanings follow a similar process.
Oral Examination
First, the dental hygienist will conduct an oral examination to evaluate the overall health of your oral tissues. Next, the cleaning will take place using either an ultrasonic scaler or metal instruments (curettes) to remove any plaque and calculus from the tooth surfaces.
Teeth Cleaning
The ultrasonic scaler is a hand-held tool with a small tip that vibrates at a high frequency. The rapid movement of the tip breaks down hardened deposits without damaging the tooth. A continuous stream of liquid (lavage) cools the tip and aids in plaque removal while washing away the debris.
Removing Stubborn Buildup
If your teeth are sensitive, using hand-held metal instruments (curettes) may be more comfortable during your professional cleaning. Minimal pressure is required to remove any stubborn buildup and scrub the teeth clean.
Teeth Polishing
Finally, your teeth will be polished with a low-speed rotary brush that is equipped with a soft rubber tip. A mildly gritty, toothpaste-like gel is then applied as the tip spins around to polish the teeth, making them smooth and shiny.
