Professional Teeth Cleaning

What is a professional teeth cleaning?

A professional teeth cleaning can usually be broken down into to two separate categories:

1. Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis(also known as a ”regular cleaning”) is literally a preventative treatment of gum disease. A prophylaxis is a procedure in which your dentist or hygienist uses a variety of tools to help remove plaque and other debris from the visible surfaces of your teeth above the gumline. It also includes a polishing of the teeth after they have been cleaned.

The following is a brief description of the process of a prophylaxis:

1. We will use an ultrasonic cleaner and water sprayer to loosen and remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums.
2. If necessary, we will then scrape additional plaque and tartar off your teeth by using a metal tool called a hand scaler.
3. Then we will brush your teeth with a rotary polishing cup and a gritty type of toothpaste that polishes and cleans your teeth.
4. Finally, we will floss your teeth, review your oral hygiene techniques, and give you a fluoride treatment to strengthen and protect your teeth.

2. Periodontal Treatment or Maintenance.

Periodontal Treatment or Maintenance is required when you are suffering from periodontal (or gum) disease. Periodontal treatment consists of Scaling or Root Planing and is also commonly known as a “Deep Cleaning”. Scaling and Root Planing is the process of removing tartar, plaque, and other debris from below the gumline and root surfaces of teeth. Scaling and Root Planing is required when the bone and gums begin to recede due to deep pocket development and chronic infection around the teeth.

The following is a brief description of the process of scaling and root planing.

1. If needed, the hygienist or dentist will provide anesthetic to your gums to make the process more comfortable.
2. We will then use an ultrasonic cleaner and water sprayer to loosen and remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums.
3. Next, we will then scrape additional plaque and tartar off your teeth by using a metal tool called a hand scaler.
4. Depending on the need, we may also smooth the roots of your teeth in order to remove plaque and other bacteria.
5. Then we will brush your teeth with a rotary polishing cup and a gritty type of toothpaste that polishes and cleans your teeth.
6. Finally, we will floss your teeth, review oral hygiene techniques, and give you a fluoride treatment to strengthen and protect your teeth.

How long will it take to professionally clean my teeth?

That all depends on you! If you are doing a fantastic job at home, maintaining the cleanliness of your mouth, the cleaning should not take more than 30 minutes. If you are struggling to maintain good oral hygiene at home, and we are required to perform Scaling and Root Planing, the cleaning can take up to 2 hours and multiple visits.

What equipment / devices are used to professionally clean my teeth?

Your dentist will use several instruments to help clean your teeth. Usually, we begin the cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaner. This instrument uses ultrasonic waves to make your teeth vibrate and loosen plaque and debris. The ultrasonic cleaner is also connected to a water hose so that it sprays water over your teeth and washes away the plaque as it loosens. The cleaner itself has a round tip that gently tickles the teeth, so you should never feel any pain or sharpness while your dentist or hygienist is using this instrument. The ultrasonic cleaner can be adjusted if the vibrations are too strong for you.

After finishing with the ultrasonic cleaner, your dentist or hygienist will switch to using hand tools called periodontal scalers and curettes. The dentist or hygienist uses them to gently scrape any tartar off of your teeth that was not removed by the ultrasonic cleaner. This may feel slightly uncomfortable because the dentist or hygienist has to use a little bit of pressure to scrape your teeth, but it shouldn’t cause major discomfort. If your gums are very sensitive, your dentist or hygienist may apply a topical analgesic before using the hand tools so that you won’t feel as much pain.

Finally, your dentist or hygienist uses a polisher on the surface of your teeth. This polisher is similar to a toothbrush, but it has a rubber cup on the end instead of bristles. The dentist uses gritty toothpaste called prophy paste with the polisher to effectively polish your teeth. We highly recommend a fluoride treatment after finishing the cleaning to help protect the teeth from future cavities and sensitivity. The dentist or hygienist will place gel or varnish over your teeth for about 30-60 seconds. After 30-60 seconds, the excess fluoride will be removed, and you will not be able to eat or drink for 30 minutes in order to give time for the fluoride to take effect.

What is Plaque, Tartar or Calculus and how does it form? How do I get rid of plaque and tartar on my teeth?

Even if you practice the best oral hygiene, there are bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria, along with proteins and food byproducts, form a sticky film called dental plaque. This film coats teeth. Plaque is most prevalent in areas that are hard to clean — like the back teeth — just along the gum line, and around fillings or other dental products.

Plaque can be bad news for teeth. Every time you eat, these bacteria secrete acids that can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. The acids can cause inflammation and infection to your gums. But, if you remove plaque regularly with proper hygiene practices, you can prevent this assault on your teeth from leading to permanent tooth decay.

A bigger problem arises if plaque is allowed to remain on your teeth and harden. That can happen after just 26 hours. When this happens, the plaque hardens into tartar, or dental calculus. Because it has mineralized onto your teeth, tartar is far more difficult to remove than plaque.

Once tartar forms on teeth, it may be more difficult for you to brush and floss effectively. If this is the case, the acids released by the bacteria in your mouth are more likely to break down tooth enamel. That leads to cavities and tooth decay. Tartar that develops above and below the gum line can be especially serious. That’s because the bacteria it harbors may irritate and damage gums. Over time, this inflammation can lead to progressive gum disease. Gum disease can have serious consequences if left untreated. According to the CDC, between 5% and 11% of adults are affected by advanced gum disease.

The mildest form of gum disease is called gingivitis. This is the initial stage of gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar on the teeth. Gingivitis can usually be stopped and reversed with careful brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings by dental professionals. If tartar is not removed and gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress into a more serious form of gum disease. That more serious form is known as periodontitis. With this gum disease, pockets form between the gums and teeth. Those pockets become infected by bacteria beneath the gums. The body’s immune system releases chemicals to fight the bacteria. These chemicals along with the substances the bacteria release can damage the bone and other tissues that hold the teeth in place. This can lead ultimately to tooth loss and bone degradation.

How often should I get my teeth professionally cleaned?

The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist at least once a year to get a routine examination and cleaning. If you have a history of gum disease, you should get your teeth cleaned more often in order to prevent the recurrence of infections or disease. You should also have your teeth cleaned more often if you suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease due to the link between these diseases and tooth problems.

If you smoke, you should consider quitting. Smoking can permanently stain your teeth and create other tooth and gum problems. If you do not intend to quit smoking, you should get your teeth cleaned more frequently.

Come and see us and we can put together a plan to help you on your way or to maintain your good oral health.

How often should I get my teeth professionally cleaned?

Brushing and flossing daily will take you a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums healthy. But your toothbrush and floss can’t do it all. Over time, the sticky substance called plaque that forms on your teeth can harden into a substance called tartar, which can be removed only by your dentist’s instruments. Removing both plaque (which you can do at home) and tartar (which your dentist can do) are key to preventing gum disease and keeping your smile healthy and beautiful. They also give us a chance to examine your mouth for cavities or gum disease.

How often should I replace my toothbrush?

You should replace your tooth brush at least every 6 months. It is also a good idea to replace your toothbrush after a sickness. Toothbrushes usually remain wet after use and can be a very nice place for bacteria to grow, so you want to replace those toothbrushes frequently.

Why do my gums bleed after a professional teeth cleaning?

If you have a lot of bacteria built up in your mouth, it can irritate your gums so that they become more sensitive and bleed more easily. This can happen after you visit your dentist for a teeth cleaning, because the dentist has to brush and touch instruments against your teeth and gums. Your gums may remain sensitive for a day or two after a cleaning.