Professional teeth cleaning, combined with thorough home care, is essential for maintaining optimal oral health and function.
Why is it necessary, and how often should you undergo this procedure?
What is professional teeth cleaning?
During professional cleaning, the dentist removes bacteria, plaque, and tartar.
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that forms on the teeth and is removed during home brushing.
Dental tartar is mineralized dental plaque that has hardened and cannot be removed at home, only during professional cleaning at the dentist’s office.
One of the main causes of tartar formation is poor or irregular oral hygiene.
Other factors contributing to tartar formation include:
- improper distribution of chewing load on the teeth;
- metabolic issues that affect the composition of saliva;
- overconsumption of sweets, sugary carbonated drinks, and a diet high in carbohydrates;
- certain diseases;
- smoking.
Professional cleaning can be compared to washing a car. Spraying a car with a hose removes large chunks of dirt and debris. But if you run your finger across the door, you will still notice a thin layer of dirt left behind. You can only get rid of it by using a sponge and some effort—or by going to a car wash. The same goes for teeth: brushing twice a day is very important, but it is impossible to clean teeth perfectly at home, so it is worth turning to professionals.
For optimal oral health, a combination of proper home hygiene and professional cleaning is necessary.
How does professional teeth cleaning work?
Usually, during cleaning, soft plaque, hard deposits, and stains are removed. Afterward, teeth are polished using special pastes.
A dentist may also recommend other preventive services, such as sealants or fluoride treatment. If your premolars or molars have deep grooves or fissures, sealants can help protect these areas from harmful bacteria that cause cavities. Fluoride treatment helps strengthen enamel and also reduce the risk of cavities. Both sealants and fluoride treatment can be beneficial for children and adults.
A complete professional teeth cleaning includes several stages:
- ultrasonic scaling;
- air-abrasive polishing;
- mechanical polishing with special brushes and pastes;
- remineralization therapy.
Ultrasonic scaling is the removal of hardened plaque, tartar, and pigmentation using high-frequency ultrasonic waves.
Air-abrasive polishing is a contact-free cleaning of the tooth surface by directing a strong stream of air and water with a special powder. The dentist can accurately aim the airflow and thoroughly clean deposits of hardened plaque and tartar.
Mechanical polishing with special brushes and pastes strengthens the teeth; professional polishing pastes mineralize the enamel layer, making it stronger.
Remineralization therapy is a dental procedure that strengthens the enamel by saturating it with minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride.
How often should you have your teeth cleaned?
According to the American Dental Association, people should schedule cleanings at regular intervals recommended by their dentist. For many, this will be every six months. However, it depends on your unique oral hygiene needs.
People with gum disease, weakened immune systems, or those experiencing significant stress may require more frequent cleanings.
Why should you have professional teeth cleaning?
Regular professional cleaning provides several benefits:
- reducing the risk of serious oral health problems such as cavities and gum disease;
- improving overall health: regular cleaning may help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia;
- preventing bad breath: hardened plaque and tartar can cause unpleasant odors, while regular cleaning helps prevent halitosis by removing harmful microbes (disease-causing microorganisms) from the tooth surface;
- early detection of oral diseases: preventive care such as cleaning helps stop problems before they develop. During cleaning, a dentist can spot signs of cavities, periodontitis, or other conditions that require diagnosis and treatment.
What are the risks or complications of professional cleaning?
A routine cleaning lasts about an hour, is fairly painless, and requires no special aftercare. Teeth cleaning is safe and effective. It carries no risks or complications, but you may experience temporary side effects such as tooth sensitivity or gum soreness. To relieve discomfort, you may take over-the-counter pain relievers. Gum pain should subside within a few days.
Schedule an appointment today. Regular cleaning is just as important as home care for ensuring optimal oral health. For professional teeth cleaning, contact YAREMA DENTAL clinic in Kyiv.