Teeth Cleaning

Here are some key elements of a good oral hygiene routine for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

• Brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste. Brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces.
• Floss at least once daily to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth and under the gum line.
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
• Eating a healthy diet low in sugar, calcium, and other essential nutrients can help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
• Drinking plenty of water can help flush out food particles and bacteria from your mouth.
• Quitting smoking can improve your oral health and reduce the risk of developing dental problems.
• Fluoride can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Use fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash to help protect your teeth.
• Schedule regular dental checkups every six months to have a dental professional examine and clean your teeth and gums.

What is Teeth Cleaning?

Teeth cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis, removes plaque and tartar buildup from teeth to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. This is typically done by a dental hygienist or dentist using specialised tools and equipment to clean both above and below the gum line.

Who is Suitable for Teeth Cleaning?

Teeth cleaning suits everyone, regardless of age or oral health status. However, individuals with a history of gum disease, dental cavities, or those who have not cleaned their teeth in a while may benefit more from regular teeth cleaning appointments. It is recommended that individuals get their teeth cleaned every six months to prevent any dental issues from arising.

What are the Benefits of Teeth Cleaning?

Regular teeth cleaning appointments can provide numerous benefits, such as:

• Prevention of gum disease: Gum disease is caused by bacteria that can accumulate in the mouth over time. By removing plaque and tartar buildup during teeth cleaning, we can reduce the risk of gum disease.
• Fresher breath: When bacteria build up on teeth and gums, it can lead to bad breath. Teeth cleaning can help remove these bacteria and give you fresher breath.
• Reduced risk of tooth decay: Plaque buildup can cause tooth decay, leading to cavities. By removing this buildup, we can prevent cavities from forming.
• Brighter smile: Teeth cleaning can remove surface stains, resulting in a brighter smile.
• Early detection of dental issues: During teeth cleaning appointments, your dentist can detect any dental issues early on and prevent them from becoming bigger problems.

What Happens During Prophylaxis?

During a prophylaxis procedure, a dentist will perform the following steps:

• Assessment: The dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to check for any signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or other dental problems.
• Scaling: Using specialised instruments, the dentist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and gum line. This process may involve manual scraping and an ultrasonic scaler, which uses high-frequency vibrations to break up and remove the buildup.
• Polishing: After scaling, the dentist will use a special tool to polish your teeth, removing surface stains and leaving them smooth and shiny.
• Flossing: The dentist will floss between your teeth to remove any remaining debris and ensure that all surfaces of your teeth are clean.
• Fluoride Treatment: In some cases, a fluoride treatment may be recommended to help strengthen your tooth enamel and protect against cavities.

The dentist will use suction and water throughout the procedure to keep your mouth clean and comfortable. A prophylaxis procedure is typically painless and does not require anaesthesia. The length of the procedure can vary depending on the amount of buildup and the patient's individual needs.

Regular prophylaxis procedures, typically recommended every six months, can help to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems and keep your smile looking bright and healthy.

What to Expect After Prophylaxis?

After a prophylaxis procedure, there are a few things you can expect to experience:

• Clean and smooth teeth: You'll notice that your teeth feel clean and smooth, and any surface stains that were present before the cleaning have been removed.
• Slight tooth sensitivity: After teeth cleaning, some people experience temporary sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or pressure. This is normal and should subside within a few days.
• Gum soreness or bleeding: If your gums were inflamed or bleeding before the cleaning, you may experience some soreness or bleed for a day or two after the procedure. This is also normal and should subside as your gums heal.
• Fresher breath: A professional teeth cleaning can help to remove bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath, leaving you with fresher breath.
• Dental recommendations: Your dentist may recommend additional dental procedures or products to maintain oral health.

Maintaining good oral hygiene after a teeth cleaning appointment is important to prevent plaque and tartar buildup from reoccurring. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and using mouthwash regularly.

Teeth Cleaning Risks

While teeth cleaning is generally a safe procedure, some risks are involved, such as

• Tooth Sensitivity: After a teeth cleaning appointment, it is common to experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. This usually subsides within a few days.
• Gum Irritation: Gum irritation or bleeding may occur during teeth cleaning, especially if there is a lot of plaque and tartar buildup. This should subside within a few days.
• Enamel Damage: In rare cases, teeth cleaning can cause damage to tooth enamel. This is more common in individuals with weak enamel or if the cleaning is too aggressive.
• Infection: There is a risk of infection if the cleaning tools are not properly sterilised. However, this risk is low as dental offices follow strict sterilisation protocols.

What if Teeth Cleaning is Delayed?

Delaying teeth cleaning appointments can lead to an accumulation of plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause gum disease and tooth decay. These conditions can lead to more serious oral health issues, such as tooth loss, if left untreated.

It is recommended that individuals get their teeth cleaned every six months to prevent any dental issues from arising.

How Often Should You Have a Teeth Cleaning?

The American Dental Association recommends that individuals get a dental cleaning at least once every six months. However, some people may require more frequent cleanings based on their oral health needs. Your dentist can help determine how often you need dental cleaning based on your needs.

Alternative Options for Teeth Cleaning

In addition to teeth cleaning, there are other options for maintaining good oral hygiene. Some of these options include

• Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are a protective coating applied to the teeth' surface to prevent decay.
• Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride treatments can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.
• Orthodontic Treatment: Orthodontic treatment can help straighten teeth and improve oral hygiene by making it easier to brush and floss.