Nov 23, 2017

Dental Cleaning Essentials

Teeth/Dental Cleaning Essentials

Oral hygiene is the practice of maintaining oral health/ mouth cleanliness by brushing, flossing and scrubbing to prevent any gum diseases and tooth decay. Teeth/dental cleaning is a part of oral hygiene. Teeth cleanings are essential not only for cleaner teeth but also helps in maintain healthier body and mind. A professional dental cleaning is done by the dentist or oral hygienist.

Teeth Cleaning

Purpose

Teeth cleanings are necessary for the following reasons:

  • Teeth cleanings remove the buildup of plaque from the teeth. Plaque is a sticky type form of bacteria and food that forms on teeth.
  • Teeth cleanings can also remove tartar, formed on the teeth. Tartar or calculus is a hardened form of dental plaque.
  • To prevent tooth loss.
  • To avoid gum diseases. Gum diseases arise when the body’s immune system is responding to the tartar build up on the teeth. Gum diseases can be chronic, that’s why it is important to prevent gum diseases. Chronic infections can also lead to diseases in rest of the body. 

Precautions

Maintaining oral hygiene should be a daily habit. Gums and teeth should be cleaned with a toothbrush. Most common and everyday order of cleaning teeth are brushing, flossing, and scrubbing. With proper brushing, flossing, and scrubbing, oral hygiene may be maintained, and oral health problems may be avoided.
  • Brushing: Brushing with a toothbrush two times a day is highly recommended and preferably after every meal and snack. Effective brushing is required. 
  • Flossing: Flossing helps in removal of food particles and plaque in between the teeth. Flossing once a day is recommended and thus prevents gum diseases.
  • Scrubbing: Teeth can also be cleaned with the help of twig instead of a toothbrush. This process is called scrubbing. 

However, in spite of following the above precautions, professional teeth cleaning is very much necessary to be performed for two times per year (once in six months). During a dental cleaning one may face discomfort if proper brushing and flossing techniques are not followed. However, people who have not neglected their oral hygiene habits do not suffer any inconvenience.Plano Dentist, Dr. George A. Smith, says, “Brushing and flossing twice a day is highly advisable. And also visiting your dentist twice per year for professional dental cleaning is recommended.” 


During a Dental Cleaning

Dental cleaning includes the following services:

  • Diagnostic services: These include reviewing and updating medical history, chewing and biting patterns, evaluation of gum tissue, etc. 
  • Preventive services: These include removal of plaque and tartar, polishing teeth, cleaning and adjustment of dentures, etc. 

  • Educational services: These include brushing and flossing techniques, nutritional counseling, recommendations for further treatment, etc. 

Know the Different types of Dental Cleanings

Depending on how healthy your gums are, dental cleanings are classified as follows:
  • No gum disease 
This is the best and what you should aim for each teeth cleaning session.

Treatment - Maintain, maintain, maintain. It is easier to maintain good health and prevent unwanted diseases. 

  • Type 1: Gingivitis 
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease which causes swelling, irritation, and redness around the gum area and is very common among people. Bleeding doesn’t happen to healthy gums when touched.

Treatment - Brushing and flossing techniques must be adopted correctly. You can see your local dentist for advice.
  • Type 2: Early Periodontitis 
This stage indicates that it’s been some time that you’ve had gingivitis. It is also evident that it is going to turn into something serious. This stage is beginning to a dangerous path.

Treatment - At this stage, deep cleaning called scale and root planning is recommended.
  • Type 3, 4 & 5: Moderate to Severe Periodontitis 
At this stage, you have bleeding gums. With increasing severity, it gets more and more difficult to get healthy again. Surgery is frequently required in these stages.

Treatment - You’ll need multiple scaling and root planings.

After the Dental Cleaning

No matter you have gum disease or not, or what stage gum disease you have, your oral hygiene at home is essential.

You have to make sure you practice the following:
  • Brushing and flossing twice a day, or after meals or snacks. 
  • Maintaining good nutritional diet. 
  • Visiting a dentist for every six months, if you do not have any gum diseases and maintaining oral hygiene or for every three months, if you have gum diseases.
Important Article: Best Guide For Your Beautiful Smile

It is essential to have the teeth professionally cleaned. The doctor says, “Tooth decay is the result of the accumulation of plaque in the tiniest crevices, grooves, and pits, even though brushing and flossing after every meal are properly done. Tooth decay causes pain and partial or total tooth loss.”

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeth_cleaning 
http://georgesmithdds.com/dental-cleaning-consultation/ 
https://askthedentist.com/teeth-cleanings/

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