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If you are thinking that brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you should reconsider that. Your daily oral hygiene routine is very important, but it can’t replace the importance of professional dental cleaning, as it can achieve more than your toothbrush and dental floss alone can.
What Is A Professional Dental Cleaning?
Professional dental cleaning is a dental process usually performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. During dental cleaning, your dentist will remove the plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. They will use tools and techniques that can deeply clean your teeth from all aspects, as they will reach areas your brush and floss can’t reach, such as beneath the gum line.
Dental cleaning prevents cavities, especially at proximal aspects of your teeth (between your teeth). It will also prevent gum disease and address early signs of conditions like gingivitis.
Why Do You Need Professional Dental Cleaning?
By regular professional dental cleaning, you are making a very good investment. You protect your teeth from decay and prevent gum disease before it even starts. Here are several reasons why professional dental cleaning is essential:
Cleaning Hard-to-reach Areas
Even if you brush your teeth after every meal, there are areas your brush can’t reach. So, food will accumulate in these areas, plaque will start to form, and with time, it will turn into tartar. Tartar (calculus) can only be removed by a dentist. If left, it will lead to gum irritation, calculus Formation, gums bleeding on brushing , tooth decay, and cavities.
Remove subgingival and supragingival calculus
As calculus is formed after the plaque and food debris aren’t removed after 24 hours, it gets hardened over time and accumulates more food debris, bacteria, and stains, which badly affect the gingival tissue and can’t be easily removed by normal brushing and flossing. The only way is professional dental cleansing with certain instruments.
Deep pockets
People who suffer from deep gingival pockets between teeth are more liable to gum inflammation and swelling. Professional dental cleansing every 3 /6 months is a prophylactic treatment that prevents future gum disease.
Check gum pockets treatment at Suave if you suffer from a bad smell, bleeding gums, or food accumulation between your teeth.
Prevent Future Tooth Loss
During regular professional dental cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will examine your oral cavity. They may identify early signs of gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. These conditions, if left untreated, will eventually lead to tooth loss.
Prevent Gum Recession
With professional dental cleaning, you protect your gums from recession, which protects the integrity of your teeth.
Treatment of receding gums with Suave Clinic periodontists.
Bad Breath Treatment
Dental cleaning removes the bacteria that cause bad breath, promoting fresher breath and better self-confidence.
Removes Stains and Brightens Your Smile
As teeth polishing is done during dental cleaning, your teeth will look brighter and cleaner, as all stains will be removed from your tooth surfaces. These stains can be caused by food or drinks, and also by your lifestyle habits, like smoking.
See all the reasons for teeth discoloration and stains!
Save your Overall health
As your oral health can affect your overall health, regular dental cleaning will not just support your teeth; it affects your entire well-being. Issues like gum disease can contribute to systemic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, and certain medications, like phenytoin and immunosuppressants, can cause gum swelling and periodontitis.
Types Of Dental Cleaning
There are several types of dental cleaning, each one suitable for specific conditions. Your dentist will decide which type of dental cleaning will be suitable for you according to your teeth and gum condition. Let’s dive into the details of the most common types
1) Routine Cleaning (Prophylaxis Cleaning).
It is the most common type of dental cleaning. It’s usually performed if the patient has healthy gums and no signs of gum disease. During the process, the dentist will remove the plaque and tartar from your tooth surfaces. Also, teeth polishing will be performed to remove any stains on your teeth.
How to differentiate between a tooth cavity and a stain?
2) Deep Cleaning (Scaling And Root Planing).
During this type, sub-gingival and supra-gingival scaling will be performed to remove the tartar and plaque from above and below the gum line. So, this procedure is recommended for patients with gum disease and periodontitis or for people who have accumulated significant plaque and tartar beneath the gum line.
Also, root planing will be done as your dentist will smooth the roots of the teeth to help the gums reattach and reduce the inflammation.
3) Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning.
If the patient has had previous treatment for periodontal disease, this type of cleaning is recommended as it prevents the recurrence of gum disease and maintains the health of the gums and teeth. It is usually performed every three to four months, and it is more intensive than routine cleaning.
4) Dental Cleaning for Fluoride Application
This teeth scaling and cleansing procedure is to remove any plaque and stains and to make sure that the teeth surfaces are smooth and clean to absorb the topical fluoride either for fluoride treatment in children and adult, or for teeth remineralization.
See how to remineralize teeth naturally and in-office!
Each type of dental cleaning achieves a specific purpose and is designed to help with several stages of oral health. Your dentist will assess your case and recommend the most suitable type of dental cleaning for you.
Dental Cleaning Procedure
The procedure is performed in several steps to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy and free of plaque, tartar, and stains.
Initial Examination
Your dentist or hygienist will examine your oral cavity, teeth, and gums for any signs of dental issues such as cavities or gum disease.
After an assessment, they will decide which type of cleaning to perform and create a customized treatment plan for your needs.
Scaling
The most important step. Your dentist uses ultrasonic scalers or manual instruments to remove plaque and tartar, especially beneath the gum line.
Ultrasonic scalers use vibration and water spray, while manual tools target more stubborn buildup in hard-to-access areas.
Polishing
Performed after scaling to remove surface stains from food, drinks, or smoking. It smooths the tooth surfaces, making it harder for plaque to stick.
A gritty polishing paste is applied using a rotating brush to deeply clean and shine the teeth.
Flossing
A thorough professional flossing is performed to remove any remaining plaque or debris trapped between your teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
An optional final step to strengthen tooth enamel and resist decay using a concentrated fluoride gel or foam.
Note: You will need to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes to give the fluoride time to fully take effect.
How Often Should You Visit Your Dentist For Cleaning?
To prevent tooth decay and gum disease, you should regularly remove plaque and tartar. For most people, routine dental cleaning is usually performed every 6 months. However, your dentist will assess your needs and, depending on your oral health condition, personal habits, and risk factors, He will recommend a cleaning schedule suitable for you.
There are some conditions in which you may require more frequent visits:
- Patients with gum disease, ex: gingivitis or periodontitis, may need cleaning every 3-4 months.
- Patients with a high risk of cavities, a high-sugar diet, or braces.
- Smokers or tobacco users.
- Patients with certain medical conditions, ex: diabetes, heart disease, or a compromised immune system.
- Patients with dental implants or dental filling restorations.
Do Teeth Cleaning Have Any Disadvantages?
There are minor disadvantages that patients may experience with dental cleaning:
- For the first few days after getting your cleaning, you may feel sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. It should be temporary and usually subsides within a few days.
- If there is significant tartar buildup, minor gum irritation could occur, usually during the root planing process.
- The process should usually be pain-free, but if you have exposed roots or gum inflammation, the procedure can cause slight pain and discomfort.
- Deep or excessive cleaning may lead to gum recession and expose more of the roots, which leads to increased sensitivity. That is why this process should be done by experts.
- There is a risk of infection for patients with compromised immune systems after the dental cleaning process.
- Plaque and tartar accumulate in the gaps between your teeth. After removing them, these gaps will be more noticeable. But in most cases, the gum will reattach and fill these spaces. This is treated with cosmetic gum surgeries without any hidden costs, we -at Suave Clinic- ensure the you have the perfect smile you ever wanted.
How Much Does It Cost To Clean Your Teeth In Turkey?
The cost of professional dental cleaning varies depending on the country, type of dental cleaning, and the clinic. When you choose Turkey for dental cleaning, you are combining dental care with the opportunity to explore Turkey’s rich culture and stunning landmarks, in addition to having your dental treatment in one of the best healthcare countries in the world
At Suave Clinic, dental cleaning costs only $120. We also provide modern equipment, advanced tools, and skilled professionals. You can rest assured that you will be in good hands.
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Dental Cleaning FAQs
Why Does Dental Cleaning Hurt So Much?
Generally, dental cleaning should be a comfortable procedure, but in some cases, patients may experience discomfort or slight pain. However, some factors can make it hurt:
Patients with gum disease and inflamed gums will be more sensitive during the procedure.
Heavy plaque and tartar buildup will need more scraping, which can cause discomfort.
Patients with sensitive teeth or those who have exposed roots may feel pain during cleaning.
Everyone has a different pain threshold, so the sensitivity during the process will vary from person to person.
Deep cleaning or root planing, in which scaling goes beneath the gum line, can cause slight pain.
Does Teeth Cleaning Remove Yellow?
During professional cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove the deposits on the surface of your teeth and polish them. This can restore your teeth’s natural color and make them look brighter. However, if the yellowish color in your teeth is due to deep discoloration within the tooth or natural enamel thinning, professional cleaning will not be helpful. In such cases, other treatments like teeth whitening may be required to achieve a whiter appearance.
Can I Eat After Teeth Cleaning?
Of course, you can eat directly after teeth cleaning, but it’s best to choose soft and non-staining foods to avoid irritation or staining your clean teeth. You need to avoid hot, cold, or acidic foods after the procedure, as your teeth and gums may be sensitive. However, if you have received fluoride treatment during your cleaning, you will need to wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This time will allow your teeth to fully absorb the fluoride into the enamel and provide maximum protection.
Why Do Dentists Scrape Your Teeth So Hard?
The scraping process is known as scaling, and it’s performed during professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, and if left untreated, it becomes harder and turns into tartar. Plaque and tartar can’t be eliminated or removed by brushing or flossing alone. During the scaling process, your dentist will remove these buildups from the surface of your teeth and the areas beneath the gum line. It might be a discomforting process for some patients, but this process is very important to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
