Teeth Cleaning
Everyone loves the feeling of a fresh mouth. While freshness isn’t the main reason people should brush and floss after each meal, it’s certainly a big benefit. The other reasons for regular brushing and flossing at home are to get rid of food debris that bacteria can feed on. If that’s all there was to oral hygiene, that would be great, and fewer people would get cavities, gum disease and other oral health problems. But it’s not. Another important factor for oral health—another effective way to get that fresh mouth feeling—is to get regular teeth cleaning in Brooklyn, NY.
Why Professional Teeth Cleaning is Needed
It may seem odd that brushing and flossing at home isn’t enough. After all, when humankind for centuries seemed to get along without dentists—or brushing and flossing, for that matter—why would we need professional teeth cleaning now?
Things have changed drastically in modern times. We now know what causes teeth decay, we now know the serious consequences of unchecked gum disease, and last but not least, the human diet now includes ingredients that are more likely to cause oral health problems than our ancestors. These are the reasons why you need to visit your dentist at least once every six months for professional teeth cleaning.
The Teeth Cleaning Process
When you come in to Sconzo and Sciascia General Cosmetic and Family Dentistry for a teeth cleaning, we first do a dental exam to determine the status of your oral health. This may include taking digital images, consulting with you about any oral health concerns you may have, measuring gum pocket depths, a visual exam to check for things like oral lesions, and more.
Next, The dental hygienist will do scaling on the surfaces of the teeth. This is kind of like scraping, where the hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is easier to get rid of, but tartar consists of hardened plaque. It’s a lot like cement, so you can imagine how it would take more effort to get rid of this. This is the stuff that can’t be removed at home with brushing and flossing. The dental hygienist not only gets rid of plaque and tartar on the front surfaces, but also the back surfaces and in between teeth. They do this with special tools and instruments. While it’s happening, you’ll be asked to spit in a bowl several times to get rid of the flaked off bits of plaque tartar in your mouth. This process can take upwards of an hour, or sometimes even longer.
The last step in the teeth cleaning treatment is polishing. The process of scaling can roughen up the surface of the teeth, and that’s a bad thing because microscopic bacteria can take up residence in tiny little ridges, nooks and crannies. We don’t want that. Polishing smooths the surface of the teeth and removes any remaining plaque, helping to prevent it from building up again quickly.
Finally, the hygienist will do a thorough flossing, to help remove any remaining debris from the treatment.
What’s it Feel Like Afterward?
Your teeth will feel smooth on the tongue afterward, which is a direct result of the hygienist getting rid of all that plaque and tartar buildup. But one thing that can take people by surprise is that you may notice that there is space between teeth that wasn’t there before. Not a lot, but little slits. That’s because there may have been built up tartar in between your teeth that were actually pushing your teeth apart just a little bit as the tartar deposits got bigger. But there’s no need to worry. Your teeth will shift back together to fill in those gaps in a week or so.
What Professional Teeth Cleaning Accomplishes
While daily brushing and flossing at home are essential, they often aren’t enough to remove all the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that accumulates on your teeth throughout the day. If not removed, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be professionally cleaned, since it’s like hardened cement on the teeth. Regular teeth cleaning helps prevent conditions such as:
Gum Disease
Plaque buildup can irritate the gums, leading to gingivitis (inflammation). If untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss.
Tooth Decay
Plaque and tartar harbor bacteria that produce acids, leading to the breakdown of tooth enamel and cavities.
Bad Breath
The bacteria in plaque and tartar can cause persistent bad breath (halitosis).
Teeth cleaning also helps in detecting early signs of oral health issues, allowing for timely intervention.
When Should You Get Teeth Cleaning?
For most people, routine dental cleanings should be done at least twice a year, though some individuals may need more frequent cleanings depending on their oral health condition. Those at higher risk for oral health problems, such as individuals with gum disease, smokers, or diabetics may require more frequent visits. Your dentist at Sconzo and Sciascia General Cosmetic and Family Dentistry will let you know if you should come in more often.
Maintaining Oral Health Between Cleanings
While professional teeth cleaning is essential, maintaining good oral hygiene at home is still incredibly important. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and using mouthwash can help prevent plaque buildup and keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular self-exams at home in the mirror and visits to the dentist will help ensure any potential issues are addressed early. Consider investing in an electric toothbrush and water flosser to maximize the effectiveness of your at-home oral hygiene regimen.
Teeth cleaning services are a crucial aspect of maintaining overall oral health. Regular cleanings help prevent serious issues such as gum disease and tooth decay, improve the appearance of your smile, and ensure your mouth stays healthy. By choosing professional dental care and practicing good oral hygiene at home, you can enjoy lasting oral health benefits and a confident, beautiful smile. Why wait? Enjoy the feeling of a completely fresh and clean mouth by getting your teeth cleaned at Sconzo and Sciascia General Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, your Brooklyn, NY dentist, today.
