What You Need to Know About Teeth Cleaning

We’ve all been brought up knowing that regular teeth brushing and flossing is essential for our overall health. Most of us make an effort of taking care of our teeth by flossing and brushing twice daily. However, this is not enough to keep your mouth as healthy as it should be. Ensure that you visit your dental clinic at least twice a year for a dental check-up and cleaning. These dental cleanings and check-ups are the most efficient ways of preventing many teeth or medical problems that are associated with poor oral hygiene. Here are reasons why you need to visit your dentist for professional teeth cleaning.

Detect Oral Cancer

Professional dental cleaning cannot prevent the onset of oral cancer, but it will help your dentist to detect it early enough and recommend an appropriate treatment. Oral cancer can be curable only if it is detected during its early stages.

Prevents Tooth Decay

Plaque comprises of acidic substances that eat away your tooth enamel. When left unremoved, they can lead to cavities. While regular flossing and brushing are effective methods of teeth cleaning, they cannot remove plaque in hard to reach areas.

Prevents Gum Disease

You’ll be surprised to know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss amongst adults in Australia and has also been linked to some chronic diseases. Although gum disease varies in severity, it starts with bacterial growth in your mouth that leads to gum inflammation and infections. Regular teeth brushing and flossing helps to keep these bacteria at bay. However, professional teeth cleaning is a must as dentists can thoroughly clean in and around your gums.

Maintain a Fresh Breath

Research studies show that people suffering from bad breath or halitosis may have a more underlying dental problem. When your teeth are not properly cleaned regularly, food remains, and tartar starts to build up between your teeth and stick to the gum line. This leads to an onset of bad breath. Once this condition sets in, it can result in unpleasant throat infections to develop as well. Getting professional teeth cleanings at least twice a year will help prevent this condition from developing.

Keep Your Smile Bright

The most efficient and effective way to having a bright smile is to visit your dentist regularly for dental cleanings. There is no substitute for a dental cleaning from a professional dental hygienist. Dental cleanings also offer you a good opportunity for speaking to your dentist about professional teeth whitening procedure.

Maintain Good Overall Health

Medical experts as already mentioned have proven that there is a definite link between poor oral health and onset of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes, inflammation of joints and premature births. In most cases, your mouth condition will assist your dentist to determine whether you need to schedule an appointment with your physician to be screened for any of the above-stated conditions.

Saves your Money and Time

At the end of it all, prevention is cheaper and better than cure. Professionally teeth cleaning helps you to prevent conditions and diseases that are expensive and time consuming to treat. Some small amount of cost and time offered to professional dental cleaning today will save you from steeper expenses tomorrow.

A majority of people think that teeth cleaning is just a simple procedure that they need to focus on. What they may not realize is that there are different types of dental cleaning. People have different types of teeth and dental conditions. Some people have been maintaining good oral hygiene but have had a couple of months without visiting a dentist for a dental cleaning. There are others who have not been maintaining good oral hygiene and have a couple of months before seeing their dentist for teeth cleaning. Different types of teeth cleaning will depend on the dental condition of a patient, gingivitis or periodontal disease. Before having a dental cleaning, talk to your dentist so that you can know which type is best for you. With this in mind, here is a short description of different types of teeth cleaning available.

No Gum Disease

This is the most common and the best type of teeth cleaning. You should always aim at this types. This type of cleaning is performed on patients who have a healthy mouth with no gum disease. A healthy mouth consists of coral pink (depending on genetics, some healthy gums may appear to have darker shades of brown) gums that are stippled like an orange peel. Such gums are not puffy, red or purple. Health gums do not bleed when the patient brushes his or her teeth. Healthy gums are comfortable when the dentist measures dental pockets which is the space between the gums and the tooth. Healthy gum will have dental pockets that measure 3 mm. Patients with healthy gums will only require dental cleaning at least twice a year.

It’s easier to practice proper dental hygiene and prevent diseases rather than maintain poor oral hygiene and deal with countless diseases. If you are unsure, ask your dentist how you can maintain proper dental hygiene. Having no gum disease will reduce the chances of developing other diseases such as heart attack.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is very common. Almost 80% of people in Australia have gingivitis. Gums with gingivitis are surely purple, red, puffy and swollen. If you have gingivitis, your gums will bleed easily when you floss. The surface of the gums will also appear shiny. Gingivitis means that your gums are reacting to infection and they are diseased. The disease is caused by bacterial plaque and by irritation from hard deposits on the surface of the tooth known as calculus.

Calculus is formed from a plaque that was allowed to sit on the surface of the teeth without removal. It is mainly found on the cheek side of the upper molars and the tongue side of the lower front teeth. The dentist must remove calculus using some special tools during dental cleaning as they are stuck in the teeth. Normal brushing and flossing cannot remove calculus. Gingivitis can occur in some specific areas of the mouth or can occur throughout the entire mouth.

Periodontal

If gingivitis is not treated, it might advance to a more severe form of gum disease known as periodontal disease. Plaque can spread and grow below the gum line over a period. It provides a conducive environment for bacteria growth. These bacteria produce toxins that irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a lingering inflammatory response that destroys the tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Gums will then separate with the teeth thus forming dental pockets. The process of gums separating from the teeth is known as gum recession. Gum recession is 100% irreversible; no surgery can be able to correct the problem. As periodontal disease progress, the pockets will become deeper and more bone and tissue destroyed. Eventually, if the condition is left untreated, the teeth might become loose and may have to be extracted.

Periodontal disease, especially during its initial stages, is the beginning of a very dangerous route. If you are at this stage, your dentist will recommend a deep dental cleaning known as scale and root planning. Root planning is necessary at this stage since there is so much tartar build-up that brushing and flossing will be inadequate. Your dentist will assess which areas of your mouth are severely affected since you might not require deep cleaning in your entire mouth. Scale and root planning will be done in quarters. You might require four different dental visits for the treatment. If your periodontal disease it at advanced levels, you will need multiple scales and root planning to rectify the problem. After the deep cleaning, you will be required to follow proper dental hygiene measures at home to reverse the condition completely.

It is the gum inflammation that is caused by the action of plaque that moves from the teeth to the gums. Plaque is a sticky, colorless substance that forms on the surface of the tooth when you fail to practice proper oral hygiene. When you take foods and drinks that have high levels of sugars, the bacteria present in plaque will convert the sugars into the energy they require. They will also produce toxic acid at the same time. The acid will begin acting on the tooth enamel forming cavities. The bacteria will also irritate the gums causing inflammation and soreness. Gum disease can be worsened by hormonal fluctuations, diabetes, smoking and certain types of medication. The early stages of gum disease are known as gingivitis. This condition only occurs when it’s only the soft tissues that have been affected. The good news about gingivitis is that a good dental cleaning can reverse it.

The advanced level of gum disease is known as periodontal disease. This condition occurs if you did not visit your dentist for treatment during the initial stages of gum disease. People suffering from the periodontal disease may experience minimal discomfort, and the disease may go unnoticed until it becomes severe. However, there are some few symptoms you can be on the watch out for. Such symptoms include chronic bad breath, swollen gums, sensitivity to hot and cold beverages and receding gums.

There are genetic and environmental factors that are involved in the onset of gum disease. In most cases, the risk of developing gum disease can be minimized by taking preventative measures. Here are some of the common causes of gum disease:

Poor Oral Hygiene

Prevention of gum disease begins at home with proper oral hygiene and taking a well-balanced diet. Prevention also involves regular dental visits which include cleanings, x-rays and exams. A combination of proper home care and professional dental care will preserve your natural dentition and the supporting bone structures. When plaque is not removed, the gums and bone around your teeth become affected by bacteria, and this can lead to gum disease.

Hormonal Shifts

When you are pregnant or even during your normal monthly menstrual period, hormones tend to rise and fall making your gums more vulnerable to gum disease. However, expecting a baby doesn’t mean you will automatically have issues with your teeth and gums. It simply means you will have to take extra-special care of your mouth to sustain your oral health. Some of the uncommon things that can happen during pregnancy are inflamed gums that are puffy, irritated, red and bleed a little when flossed or brushed.

Genetic Factors

Research studies of family histories, identical twins and genetic disease all point to heredity as one of the risk factors in approximately 50% of patients with gum diseases. The heredity factors involved are mostly minor defects in how immune system works. Such people cannot fight off bacteria responsible for causing gum disease even with proper oral hygiene. Such heredity factors explain why children of parents with gum disease are twelve times more likely to harbour these bacteria.

Crooked Teeth

If you have overlapped, crooked or rotated teeth, this can create a good breeding ground for gum disease. This is because misalignments create more spaces where plaque can accumulate and cause harm to your teeth and gums.

Tobacco Use/Smoking

Smoking is the top most behavioral/environmental risk for gum disease. Smoking disrupts the normal functioning of gum tissue cells, making your mouth more susceptible to gum disease.

There are so many misconceptions that exist about teeth cleaning. The most prevalent of all is that the process is complex and takes a very long time to complete. This is not true. The process is simple and takes the relatively small amount of time. The advances in technology have made this process even more manageable and comfortable for you. The process takes several steps although your dental hygienist may add more when necessary. The most common steps include:

Physical Exam

In most cases, teeth cleaning is performed by a dental hygienist. Before commencing with the process, he will first conduct a physical exam of your entire mouth. In this step, the dental hygienist will use a small mirror to assess any signs of gum disease. He will check inside your mouth and behind the teeth. If they detect any problems, the dental hygienist may first seek the attention of the dentist to make sure if it’s okay to proceed.

Plaque and Tartar Removal

Using the small dental mirror for guidance, the dental hygienist will remove any plaque and tartar. While plaque can be removed through regular brushing and flossing, tartar must be removed through professional cleaning. Your hygienist will remove tartar from around the gum line as well as between the teeth using a scaler. The more tartar present in your mouth at a particular spot, the more time your hygienist will spend to scrap the spot. Scrapping will produce some grinding noise, do not be afraid of this noise as its normal.

It’s essential that you brush your teeth and floss on a regular basis to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. Once tartar has formed on the surface of your teeth, it can only be removed by a dentist through professional dental cleaning.

Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning

After your hygienist has completely removed all the tartar from your teeth, he will now brush them using a high powered electric toothbrush. This process will also make a grinding noise due to the rough texture of the toothpaste. While it might sound a bit scary, it’s the best way to remove any tartar that might have been left behind by the scaler. Apart from removing the remaining tartar that the scaler might have missed, gritty toothpaste cleaning helps in polishing the teeth.
The toothpaste used at this point smells and taste just like regular toothpaste, though you have the opportunity to choose between different flavours. If done by a professional dental hygienist, this process is safe to be done at least twice a year.

Expert Flossing

Whether you do floss at home or not, there is no amount of flossing that can beat expert flossing session. Your dental hygienist will get deep in between your teeth and floss any potential trouble spots where your gums might be bleeding. This step might seem pointless to you especially if you floss regularly at home. However, expert flossing helps to remove any tartar left behind from previous steps and the toothpaste from the previous process.

Rinsing

This step involves you rinsing your mouth to remove any debris from removed during the cleaning process. Usually, your hygienist will give you a rinse that contains fluoride. This will help in strengthening your teeth.

Fluoride Treatment

This is the final treatment of professional teeth cleaning. Fluoride treatment is used to protect your teeth and help it fight cavity for the next few months. This treatment comes in different flavors; your hygienist will have you choose the one you prefer the most. It is then place in the form of a foamy gel or a sticky paste over your teeth. You’ll have to bite on the mouthpiece for about one minute.

Having your teeth professionally cleaned once after every six months is a must. Not only does this helps your dentist detect any underlying dental problems early and stop them but it also gives you a remarkably fresh and clean feeling that can last days after the cleaning. Most people wonder how long they should wait to start eating again. Well, the answer to that question varies from person to person since some few factors must be taken into consideration.

First, if the dentist did not place fluoride on your teeth, then you are allowed to eat soon after. If you underwent a fluoride treatment, you would have to wait for at least 30 minutes before you can place anything on your mouth. This ensures that you have given your teeth some time to absorb the benefits of fluoride.

The other factor is what you are planning on eating or drinking. If you had undergone fluoride treatment, stay away from any acidic foods or drinks. They may cause the fluoride to be removedfrom the surface of your teeth due to stickiness or scrapping. You should also desist from cold or hot foods and drinks. This is because teeth might be very sensitive after undergoing teeth cleaning. Cold or hot foods and drink may give you an uncomfortable sensation.

How long do you want to enjoy the fresh sensation? I know this might sound a bit silly,but most people hold off on eating or drinking anything so that they can enjoy the beautiful feeling. Your gums and teeth will feel incredible after teeth cleaning so you might want to hold a bit longer before eating or drinking anything.

Getting your teeth cleaned by a dental professional comes with countless benefits. It addresses any of your dental problems, helps your dentist detect dental problems such as gum disease early and get your teeth back in shape. Teeth cleaning will also leave you with afresh and sparkling mouth. Additionally, getting fluoride treatment is a good idea as it helps improve the health of your teeth at atime when they need the most.