Teeth are precious and require constant care and monitoring. By taking certain preventive measures, you can save your teeth and gums from getting infected. Routine dental cleanings are an important part of preventive dentistry and are practiced by health-conscious patients all across the world.
Routine dental cleanings help in the timely detection and removal of plaque and tartar before they take the form of cavities. Let us see how these cleanings work, who requires them and how they differ from deep dental cleanings.
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What is Routine Dental Cleaning?
- Routine dental cleaning is a part of regular dental checkups. If the dentist identifies the formation of plaque or tartar on the tooth, he will remove it following a simple procedure. This saves the teeth and gums from getting cavities and dental decay.
The following steps are common to all basic dental cleaning sessions:
Physical Examination
- Tooth cleanings are performed by dental hygienists. In order to identify the need for dental cleanings, a physical examination is performed for the entire mouth. A small mirror that looks like a magnifying glass is rotated inside the mouth to spot out any signs of cavities or inflamed gums.
If some dental issues are spotted out, the hygienist calls the dentist to get an expert opinion before proceeding to clean.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
- After identifying plaque and tartar, dentists use ultrasonic waves to dislocate the plaque and tartar. The frequency of the waves is determined by the patient’s comfort level and how hard the plaque deposition is. Once the plaque has been loosened, a scraper is used for physically removing the plaque.
The mechanical action of the scraper can cause mild discomfort due to the weird scraping noises. In most cases, scrapping action does not cause any pain.
Cleaning with a Granular Toothpaste
- After removing tartar, the mouth is thoroughly rinsed. The dentist then uses a high-powered electric brush to thoroughly clean the teeth. The efficient action of the electric brush removes all traces of plaque and tartar and deep cleanses the teeth. The brush makes a grinding sound upon contact with teeth but doesn’t cause any pain.
The toothbrush is laced with a granular toothpaste. The gritty texture of the toothpaste gently scrubs the teeth and removes all traces of buildup. This step should be performed once or twice a year under professional guidance. Excessive use of an electric brush can wear down the enamel.
Professional Flossing
- After a professional brushing up session, your dentist will give you an expert level flossing session. This is done to remove any plaque or tartar in between crooks and gaps of the teeth which may have been missed by the electric brush. Your dentist will have a wide view of the inside of your mouth. This will help him identify any troublesome spots and provide flossing action there.
What is the Difference Between Routine and Deep Dental Cleaning?
Deep dental cleaning is an extensive process that is recommended if the patient has a lot of plaque buildup that cannot be removed from basic cleaning. It is also used if the patient is suffering from gum disease or is on the verge of tooth decay.
- Deep dental cleaning involves deep scaling and root planing. The cleaning extends to the deeper under-the-surface gum line. Ultrasonic or laser equipment is used for cleaning the gum line and the tooth’s surface to remove the plaque and tartar.
Now that we have established the basics of a routine dental cleaning, the next step is to find a professional dentist. Icon Dental Center has offices in Everett and Seattle. They provide top-notch routine dental cleaning services.