Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Flavia Calina
Maintaining a healthy smile goes beyond brushing twice a day. While brushing and flossing are crucial for daily oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings are necessary for removing stubborn plaque and tartar buildup, preventing gum disease, and helping you achieve a brighter smile.
But what goes down precisely during the procedure? Let’s delve into the details of teeth cleaning to help you understand the importance of this dental treatment and what to expect during it.
What Is Teeth Cleaning?
A dental cleaning is a dental treatment performed by an oral care provider, either a dental hygienist or a dentist, to remove calculus buildup and plaque that hardens over the teeth and close to the gum line from the minerals in saliva.
The aim is to keep your teeth in their best shape and protect you from gum disease, which could occur if the tartar buildup is neglected and causes gum recession.
The rate at which the plaque gets calcified differs from one person to the other depending on genetics, diet, lifestyle, oral hygiene habits, and other factors. That’s why some people might need a dental cleaning every six months, like clockwork, while others can skip it a few times.
Of course, the more committed you are to flossing regularly and gently and brushing your teeth at least twice daily, the more you are protected from tartar buildup and, in turn, other dental problems.
Teeth Cleaning or Scaling and Polishing?
These two terms are interchangeable, except that polishing is not always included. Polishing after a dental cleaning aims to give the tooth’s surface a shining gleam. Using a rotating rubber cup, your oral care provider will polish the enamel, removing minor surface stains from coffee, tea, or smoking, making your teeth smoother and brighter.
Steps of Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleaning from a dentist in Dubai Marina is done in a specific order, and it typically starts with a general oral examination to assess the tartar buildup and determine if any other issues are present.
If there are no major concerns to address and the periodontal tissue is healthy, the oral care provider will proceed with the following steps.
1 – Plaque removal: Removing the soft, sticky layer of bacteria that forms on teeth with a scaler or a specialized brush.
2 – Scaling: This is a specific procedure that focuses on removing the hardened plaque, known as tartar or calculus, which regular brushing cannot remove. It typically involves using an ultrasonic scaler, which is a handheld device that vibrates and uses water to loosen and remove tartar buildup, particularly below the gum line.
3 – Flossing: Your dental hygienist will use a flossing thread to remove food particles and plaque lodged between teeth, inaccessible to brushing, to ensure your teeth are cleaned from all sides. 4 – Fluoride treatment: A fluoride varnish or gel will be applied to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
5 – Polishing: Finally, to ensure your teeth are squeaky clean, your dentist will polish your teeth as explained earlier, cleaning them of any minor stains. This is not to be confused with whitening, as it doesn’t lighten the shade of the enamel, nor does it remove stubborn stains.
Benefits of Teeth Cleaning
Prevents Gum Disease
Plaque and tartar buildup can irritate or inflame the gums, leading to gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease). Regular cleanings by the best orthodontist in Dubai remove these irritants, preventing gum disease, which can progress to tooth loss if left untreated.
Reduces Bad Breath
Bacteria buildup contributes to bad breath (halitosis). Removing plaque and tartar through cleaning and scaling helps eliminate causes of bad breath.
Improves Oral Health
Removing plaque and tartar allows for a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, enabling early detection of potential dental problems like cavities and gum disease.
Brightens Your Smile
Polishing removes surface stains, leaving your teeth looking whiter and brighter.
