What is teeth cleaning?
This treatment consists of removing plaque and tartar deposits, as well as the stains that form on the teeth.
In the procedure, some sonic or ultrasonic instruments are usually used to remove tartar deposits. Each tooth is polished individually with a slightly abrasive paste to remove stains and bacterial plaque. Finally, fluoride is applied.
The purpose of cleaning is to prevent gingival inflammation (gingivitis), treat gingivitis, and/or prevent it from progressing to more serious gum disease where it begins to affect the bone that supports the tooth (periodontitis).
What is the difference between a teeth cleaning and a deep teeth cleaning?
A regular dental cleaning differs from a deep cleaning in that the regular cleaning is the cleaning that is carried out every 6 months in healthy patients in a preventive way. This is done above the gum.
A deep dental cleaning is one that is done in patients with periodontal disease (periodontitis), where calculus and plaque deposits are below the gum.
Why do we need teeth cleaning?
- Removal of bacterial plaque
- Removal of superficial stains.
- Polishing of dental enamel.
- Removal of tartar from gums.
- Treatment of swollen gums.
- Leaves your mouth clean and fresh.
- Topical fluoride application after the cleaning in order to prevent future decay.
I had my teeth cleaned and my gums bleed
Some people wonder if it’s normal for their teeth to bleed when they get teeth cleaned. The answer is no! Healthy gums should not bleed. However, the main reason gums bleed is because they are inflamed.
The body reacts to the accumulation of elements such as bacteria and food debris by trying to attack them.
At the time of dental cleaning, the gums might bleed a little. This is solved by following an oral cleaning routine at home, which should cause this the bleeding to stop in about 2 weeks. If the bleeding continues, you should consult your dentist.
A soft toothbrush and dental floss should be used. Brushing should be done for 2 minutes twice a day and flossing should be used at least once a day.
How often should teeth cleaning be performed?
Dental cleaning is a preventive measure that, together with a dental check-up, should be performed every 6 months to maintain dental health.
Bibliography
Cobb, C.M. (1996), Non-Surgical Pocket Therapy: Mechanical. Annals of Periodontology, 1: 443-490. https://doi.org/10.1902/annals.1996.1.1.443
https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/patient-education/patient-materials/why-are-regular-dental-visits-important
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/scaling-and-root-planing
http://www.cda-adc.ca/_files/oral_health/misc/WOHD21-factsheet-visitthedentist-EN.pdf