Teeth cleaning
are a precautionary procedure which is performed by dental hygienists or
dentists to uphold or accomplish the best possible oral health. During this
procedure, the dentist is targeting the removal of plaque and tartar that have
collected on the surface of the teeth. The method helps to protect the patient
from cavities and other gum and tooth issues. Regular flossing and brushing
can’t remove plaque and tartar altogether; therefore, a thorough cleaning is
required at least once every six months.
The goals and
expected results
If a patient has
current oral disorders or issues, thorough cleaning must be done more
frequently. The procedure, also known as prophylaxis, entails the removal of
mineralized tartar deposits and plaque on the surface of the teeth and the aim
is to avoid additional problems as a result of not addressing the issue.
Deposits can accumulate despite a person brushing and flossing their teeth
regularly. With routine brushing, you can delay the build-up of plaque, but you
can’t eliminate it completely.
The goals of
having the procedure done periodically:
- Prevention of teeth cavities
- Maintaining excellent oral health
- Prevention of periodontal disease
- Prevention of too much tartar accumulating
- Removal of surface stains.
The Procedure
Professional teeth cleaning procedures can be
performed by either a dental hygienist or a dentist West Columbia SC.
The procedure will include these three cleaning
techniques:
Teeth
scaling – scaling is a method of removing
layers or films of substances that have accumulated on the surface of the
teeth.
Polishing – polishing is done after scaling and
is performed to make the teeth surface smoother.
Debridement – this technique is used in the case
where too much tartar has built up and scaling the teeth proved to be
unsuccessful. A variety of dental instruments is used to loosen the tartar and
then remove it.
Tools and Instruments
used for a Dental Cleaning
Ultrasonic
instruments
Ultrasonic
devices have prickling vibrations that gently loosen larger sections of tartar
while spraying a cool mist of water to clean away the smaller debris that is
coming loose.
Curettes or
scalers
These are
smaller hand tools that are used to eradicate smaller pieces of debris
manually. They are effective for scraping off plaque and tartar.
Polishers
A hand tool that
has a soft rubber tip and used for slowly applying the polish on the teeth
surfaces.
Fluoride
It may be
required for the dentist to apply fluoride during the procedure. Fluoride is
available in a gel or foam and helps with strengthening the teeth and
compensating for the adverse effects that tartar and plaque had on them. Once
fluoride was applied, the patient must avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing their
mouth for thirty minutes after application.
Probable
risks and complications
The procedure is
not painful and is usually comfortable except for the patient having to sit
with their mouth open until the process was completed. For patients with
hardened tartar which needs to be removed, it can be uncomfortable as it takes
longer. After tartar removal, the succeeding cleanings will take up less time.
The procedure must be done correctly by a dentist to avoid the risk of injuring
the gums and prevent infection or gingivitis.