teeth cleaning
To maintain healthy teeth and gums it is important to have regular check-ups and professional cleaning. In case you have sensitive swollen gums or your gums bleed when you brush , it is important to get a cleaning done by the gum specialist (periodontist). If left untreated at this time, a chalky substance builds up on the tooth and stains it varying from yellow, brown and sometimes even black, not to mention causes bad breathe (halitosis). This is calculus/ tartar and it provides the right environment for bacterial growth which causes gum inflammation (infection) and in some cases, irreparable damage/ loss to the underlying gum and bone. The purpose of cleaning and polishing is to basically leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that the bacteria are unable to stick to them and you have a better chance of keeping the teeth clean during your regular home care.
American Dental Association guidelines recommend both adults and children should have routine teeth cleaning every 6 months. If you have existing gum infection, you may need more frequent cleanings (about every 3-4 months) or more in-depth cleaning to help prevent the infection from progressing.
1. What happens during a teeth cleaning appointment?
- Teeth cleaning involves the removal of plaque (soft, sticky bacterial film) and tartar/calculus deposited that have built up on the teeth over time. During a cleaning procedure, we use special tools and polishing pastes designed specifically to clean teeth, making sure to pay attention to those areas and surfaces of teeth that are difficult to see and access; including the tight spaces between teeth and along/ just below the gum line. We remove the larger pieces of tartar using specialised ultrasonic instruments and then we switch to finer hand tools ( curettes) to remove smaller deposits and smoothen the tooth surface. Once this is done, we will polish your teeth using a slow-speed handpiece with a prophylaxis paste which makes the teeth shiny and smooth.As the cleaning progresses, we take note of what you might be missing with your at-home care routine. At the end of your cleaning appointment, you will be provided with advice as well as tips that can help address these areas more effectively to help keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible between dental office visits.
2. CAN TEETH CLEANING HARM TEETH/ REMOVE ENAMEL OR CAUSE GAPS IN TEETH?
- This is the most common ‘myth’ when it comes to teeth cleaning and the answer is NO! Some of the reasons why people might believe that is because:
after a dental cleaning, your teeth might feel different, as if something is missing- Your teeth feel different because plaque and calculus have been removed, making your tongue feel like ‘something is missing’. Indeed, something is missing but it is not your enamel.
During the cleaning procedure you heard ‘scraping’ sounds and maybe felt small pieces coming off- this scraping sound is the gum specialist (periodontist ) using an instrument to remove the plaque and calculus from your teeth. The pieces coming off are large deposits of calculus which had hardened and adhered to your teeth over time and not the enamel of teeth.
Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and cannot be removed/ damaged using the instruments used to clean teeth. Your gum specialist (periodontist) is highly trained and skilled at using these instruments so as to not damage your teeth or mouth in any way.
3. CAN TEETH CLEANING CAUSE SENSITIVITY?
- Most people who are regular with their cleaning appointments have no post-operative sensitivity- in fact their mouth feels clean and refreshed! Sometimes your teeth may feel more sensitive because the plaque and calculus that covered areas of your teeth are now removed and exposes these areas to hot, cold, liquids and solids. In cases where there was a lot of deposit accumulation on your teeth, has been a while since you got your teeth cleaned or have pre-existing sensitivity, you may have discomfort for a few days. Following your cleaning, the gum specialist (periodontist) will tell you what to expect in terms of post-cleaning discomfort, if any, and what you can do to minimise sensitivity. There should be no surprises after your cleaning, if you are kept well informed.
4. DOES TEETH CLEANING HURT?
- Teeth cleaning is not painful. The gum specialist (periodontist) always applies a numbing (anesthetic) gel before cleaning to minimise your discomfort. However, cleaning does involve small tooth vibrations and little amounts of pressure. If these sensations make you feel uncomfortable or you are anxious about your procedure, our dental team will be more than happy to do whatever we can to make you feel comfortable and safe.
5. HOW DO I KEEP MY TEETH CLEAN AFTER MY APPOINTMENT?
- In order to maintain cleanliness, you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. It is recommended to brush your teeth after every meal but since that is not practically possible, rinse your mouth with water after you eat to prevent deposits from sticking to your teeth. Use of fluoride mouthwash also helps to reduce the bacterial count in your mouth.
6. DO I REALLY NEED TO FLOSS?
- Yes, yes and yes! Flossing helps to remove the food/ deposits stuck between your teeth. These food particles are the primary source of nutrition for harmful oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing is the only way to prevent cavities (decay) between teeth since the bristles of your toothbrush (electric and manual) are not fine and long enough to clean these inaccessible areas. No matter how often you brush, what toothbrush and tooth paste you use- flossing is the only method to remove deposits between teeth and under your gums. Flossing may be hard to master initially and it is of course very boring but it will eventually only take you a few minutes of trouble that can help you far in the long run to have a healthy mouth and functional smile.
7. THERE ARE SO MANY TOOTHPASTES TO CHOOSE FROM; HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ONE TO USE?
- First when purchasing toothpaste, select one that contains fluoride since fluoride- containing toothpastes have been shown to prevent cavities and help in remineralising tooth structure. However, use only a small amount for children under the age of 6 (pea size/ fingernail size amount). Next, consider the other properties of toothpaste- de-sensitising, whitening, gum- care, tartar- control etc.- our dental team will recommend the toothpaste you need depending on your current oral health and greatest concern at the time. Finally, some degree of personal preference comes into play. Choose the toothpaste that tastes and feels best- gel or paste, spearmint all work alike. If you find that certain ingredients are irritating to your teeth, gums, cheeks or lips- try changing your toothpaste. If the problem continues, schedule an appointment with our dental team at the earliest.
8. WHICH IS BETTER- MANUAL OR ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES?
- Research shows that both manual and powered/electric brushes are equally effective when used correctly. Electric brushes are ideal for people who are short on time, elderly people with dexterity issues, in case of arthritis and even for children, especially if they have braces. They offer the added advantage of pressure indicating lights which will let you know if you are brushing too hard and possibly damaging your gums and teeth. Theoretically, the brushing technique is more important and you can do very good brushing with regular hand brush, but the movements of a powered brush makes the task easier and more effective. Our dental team will recommend the toothbrush you should use depending on your oral needs.