Teeth Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know



Here’s a dirty secret about clean teeth. Not even daily flossing, brushing, mouth-washing, and regular dental appointments will completely prevent the accumulation of plaque, stains, and tartar on your teeth. Teeth whitening is not the only option available for dealing with stains, plaque, and tartar that gradually and inevitably build up on your teeth. Whitening may not even be a good option. Unsteady, you should have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist at a dental clinic in West Edmonton.

What is plaque and tartar?

Professional teeth cleaning by a hygienist at a dental clinic in West Edmonton is not a substitute for good oral hygiene habits, but can remove plaque and tartar from your teeth.

Plaque is a film of bacteria — sometimes called biofilm — that grows in your mouth and is often found between teeth, on the front and back of teeth, on the chewing surfaces of your teeth, and even along and below your gum line. Plaque build-ups can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

Tartar is formed from the combination of chemicals in your saliva and plaque accumulations. Tartar — sometimes referred to as dental calculus — traps stains and discolours your teeth in crusty deposits. As tartar accumulates on your teeth, removing new plaque and bacteria is harder and harder.

What is the process of professional teeth cleaning?

     Hygienists use sterilized instruments — including dental mirrors and an ultrasonic tool with rounded tips that are constantly in motion — to carefully remove tartar deposits without damaging your teeth
     Mild vibrations produced by the ultrasonic tool  will loosen up large pieces of tartar that will be washed away by mists of cool water
     After the largest pieces of tartar have been removed, the hygienist will switch to more precise hand-held instruments called curettes or scalers
     Those precise tools will remove smaller deposits from your teeth one at a time, and smoothen the surface of the teeth
     Once all your teeth are freed of plaque and tartar and smoothened, they’ll be polished with a spinning polishing device and a gritty paste called prophylaxis paste
     At the end of the cleaning process, you may receive fluoride in one of many flavors. The fluoride will be in a tray that is placed over your teeth for 30 seconds. Fluoride protects your teeth from plaque and tartar buildup

Will professional teeth cleaning hurt?

Most people find professional teeth cleaning completely pain free. Some first-timers do find the vibrations and sensations are a little bit unusual. If any aspect of the process concerns you or causes any pain, it’s important that you let the dentist or hygienist know. You will not offend them or hurt their feelings; their goal is the same as yours — that you leave with clean and shiny teeth as painlessly and comfortably as possible.

Professional cleaning typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. During that whole time, you’ll be seated in a comfortable dental chair adjusted for your body and your dental hygienist’s work.

How often should you get dental cleaning in West Edmonton?

Dentists generally recommend that you have your teeth professionally cleaned every six to twelve months. Professional cleaning is not an alternative to good daily oral hygiene habits. Keep those up between appointments. Professional cleaning at a dental clinic in West Edmonton works hand in hand with your daily diligence to reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

Are you ready to have your teeth professionally cleaned and protected from periodontal disease? Contact a dental clinic in West Edmonton to take the next step to cleaner, whiter, and shinier teeth.

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