WHAT ARE TEETH CLEANING OR DENTAL CLEANING?

Teeth cleaning or dental cleaning is an important procedure for maintaining good oral hygiene. It involves removing dental plaque or tartar, which are harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Even with regular brushing, dental plaque can still accumulate, so specialized attention from a dentist is necessary.

PROCEDURE OF DENTAL CLEANING

Teeth scaling or dental cleaning is a procedure that can be done at your dentist's office as an outpatient. The number of appointments needed for the procedure may vary depending on the severity of your condition. It involves two steps:

  1. Teeth cleaning
  2. Polishing

The first step is teeth cleaning. After conducting an intraoral examination and determining the need for the procedure, your dentist will use different instruments or devices to remove deposits from your teeth. These instruments can be hand scalers or an ultrasonic scaler that emits vibrations and sprays a jet of water. The choice of instrument will depend on the extent of plaque accumulation as assessed by the dentist.

The second step is polishing. Your dentist will use a soft rubber cup and a special paste or pumice to polish your teeth. This process effectively removes the biofilm on the surfaces of your teeth and minimizes the accumulation of plaque while protecting your enamel.

TYPES OF DENTAL SCALING OR TEETH SCALING

Different types of dental cleaning procedures are available depending on your specific needs and oral condition. However, the primary objective of all these cleaning procedures is to eliminate harmful bacteria and minimize the risk of dental problems.

The following are three types of dental scaling or teeth scaling:

  • Prophylaxis : This is a routine cleaning procedure that dentists recommend for individuals with healthy teeth and gums. It is the most commonly performed type of dental cleaning.
  • Gross Debridement : Individuals who have not visited the dentist in over a year or have significant plaque build-up can benefit from a gross debridement. It is similar to regular prophylaxis but may take longer. The primary purpose of debridement is to identify any previously undiagnosed issues before proceeding with the dental cleaning.
  • Scaling and Root Planing : Dentists recommend this procedure, also known as deep dental cleaning, for individuals with mild to moderate gum disease (periodontitis). It involves thorough cleaning beneath the gum line to remove bacteria and hardened tartar (calculus) around the roots of your teeth. Local anesthesia is administered during the process if necessary.
HOW LONG DOES TEETH CLEANING OR DENTAL CLEANING TAKE?

Dental cleaning or teeth cleaning is a usual outpatient service that is performed to keep our teeth healthy. Generally, routine dental cleanings take 30 to 45 minutes to complete. However, the process may take longer, potentially exceeding an hour, and may require multiple appointments depending on the condition and severity of calculus build-up.

AFTERCARE( PRECAUTIONS AFTER THE PROCEDURE)

Teeth cleaning or dental cleaning is a simple procedure, but it's important to be cautious about your eating habits for the first 24 to 48 hours after the cleaning.

Here are some tips to follow:

  • Wait at least 1 hour after the procedure before eating or drinking anything.
  • Avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks, like coffee, tea, or ice water, for the first day.
  • Stay away from sticky foods for at least 24 hours.
  • Do not consume acidic foods and drinks.

ADVANTAGES OF TEETH SCALING OR DENTAL SCALING:

Teeth scaling or dental scaling offers extensive benefits as it is a preventive method that can reduce oral threats. It:

  1. Decreases the risk of cavities and gum diseases.
  2. Prevents halitosis (bad breath) as regular cleaning can help prevent bad breath caused by dental plaque.
  3. Eliminates tooth discoloration and stains from substances like coffee, tea, and tobacco.
  4. Assists in reducing teeth mobility or fixing loose teeth.
  5. Minimizes bleeding gums or blood while brushing teeth.
  6. Helps achieve brighter and shinier teeth by removing stains and deposits, thus allowing for a more polished appearance.

TIPS TO REDUCE CALCULUS BUILD-UP:

Certain practices help to reduce the build-up of calculus or dental plaque.

  1. Rinse your mouth after every meal.
  2. Brush your teeth twice a day.
  3. Reduce your intake of tea and coffee.
  4. Regularly visit the dentist to keep track of your oral health.
  5. Keep track of what you eat.

WHO REQUIRES DENTAL CLEANING?

Dental cleaning is recommended for:

  • Individuals who observe a buildup of plaque on their teeth.
  • Patients suffering from gum diseases should consider getting their teeth cleaned.
  • Individuals with a family history of excessive plaque buildup should undergo dental cleaning.

WHY IS IT ESSENTIAL TO GET YOUR TEETH CLEANED?

Regular dental check-ups and practicing preventive measures such as teeth cleaning can significantly decrease the risk of developing other complex oral conditions. Additionally, these measures contribute to the maintenance of oral hygiene. Teeth cleanings eliminate debris, plaque, tartar, and biofilm (a thin layer of bacteria) that cannot be effectively removed through brushing and flossing alone. Therefore, it is essential to visit your dentist once every six months for a complete oral examination.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A SURGEON AND HOSPITAL FOR DENTAL CLEANING TREATMENT?

Skedoc helps you find information about dental clinics and highly skilled dental specialists. Additionally, Skedoc facilitates selecting the right doctor for the right advice.

Top Hospitals for Dental Cleaning

FAQ's Related to Dental Cleaning

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No, dental cleaning is not a painful procedure as there is no cutting or drilling involved, although it may cause slight discomfort and sensitivity in patients. However extreme sensitivity can also be managed by applying topical anesthetic agents.

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Although a standard dental cleaning is a quick procedure which may take anywhere between 30 - 45 minutes, but the duration may vary depending on your oral hygiene and calculus buildup.

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Routine dental cleaning is very important as they ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy. They are an important part of one’s overall oral care as it helps you get rid of any bacteria and calculus which may lead other dental problems.

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Dental cleaning is typically a simple and safe procedure. There aren't any risks or complications associated with it.

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The general recommendation of undergoing a dental cleaning procedure is 6 months, but this varies from person to person depending on factors like your oral hygiene, susceptibility to gum disease and other associated risks. While some may need it once in 3 months and others once in every 12 months.

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After dental cleaning procedure, generally dentists do not prescribe any medications routinely. If there is any specific concern such as inflammation of the gums or other gum disease your dentist may treat you with over the counter medications which is a very rare case.

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If the cause of your bad breath is poor oral hygiene, Yes dental cleaning will certainly address the issue. But if your halitosis is a sign of other health condition your health care provider may recommend other treatments depending on the specific cause.

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Yes, dental cleaning helps you with gum diseases, as the procedure involves removal of bacteria and plaque which are the significant causes of majority of the gum diseases.

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Yes, Children can undergo dental cleaning. In fact children are recommended to undergo regular checkups and scaling when their first tooth erupts or when they have few teeth in order to prevent tooth decays, monitor dental development and establish a good oral hygiene.

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Dental cleaning is an important aspect of oral care, cleaning acts as a preventive measure to various oral diseases. Hence regular cleanings will certainly improve your over all oral health.

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Sensitivity after dental cleaning lasts for about 24 to 48 hours. It is common to have sensitivity after cleaning to hot, or cold substances. However if you have a deep scaling you may experience sensitivity and tenderness of the gums for a week. Any persistent pain beyond a week should be taken into consideration of your dentist.

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Typically there is no pain associated with dental cleaning, provided if you experience any pain your dentist may treat it with over the counter medications.(very rare)

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Yes, dental cleaning will often remove different types of surface stains caused by coffee, tea, Tabaco and other food substances. However if you have intrinsic stains or deep stains you might consider other treatment options.

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Dental cleaning can have a significant impact on your oral health.Some of the reasons to why dental cleaning is advantageous are :

  1. Maintains oral hygiene 
  2. Prevent gum diseases
  3. Prevents tooth mobility and tooth loss
  4. Brightens your smile
  5. Addresses halitosis