Professional Teeth Cleaning

Having a professional teeth cleaning is very important not just for the health of your teeth, but also for your overall health. Oral cavity and pharynx cancer accounted for 2.9% of all new cancer cases in the United States in 2017. That’s nearly 50,000 people. It is projected that 1.1% of adults will have oral cavity and pharynx cancer. Oral hygiene is a vital part of overall health and wellness. It deserves the same attention as other medical concerns.

To maintain excellent oral health, you need to focus on these recommendations:

Daily brushing: Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing in the morning removes the bacteria that forms during the night while sleeping. Night brushing just before you go to bed is advised because during the evening saliva production and flow is lower than at other times during the day. Saliva is the primary cleansing agent in the mouth. When saliva production is low, your teeth are more vulnerable to decay. Consistent and well-timed brushing helps improve hygiene and protects against potential decay.

Best brushing technique: Using the proper technique to brush your teeth is also important. Brush in circular motions for two to three minutes. You should only use toothpaste that contains fluoride when brushing your teeth.

• Fluoride content: Different age groups require different levels of fluoride in their toothpaste. For young children, age three years and below, use toothpaste with fluoride levels at 1,000 parts per million (ppm). For older children and adults, the recommended fluoride level in toothpaste should be between 1,300 to 1,500 parts per million.
• Best Brush type: Use toothbrushes with firm but not hard bristles for best results. Brushes need replacing after every three months. It’s a good practice to always keep spares on hand.
• Best Brushing time: When you brush is just as important how you brush. After eating, it takes around forty minutes to completely neutralize any acids present in your mouth. During this period your enamel is weaker. Brushing before the complete neutralization of acids in the mouth runs the risk of brushing away a portion of this weak enamel. It is recommended that if possible, wait about one hour after a meal before brushing your teeth.

Appropriate flossing: Regular flossing is another important part of home dental hygiene. Passing the floss through your teeth moving from side to side removes food particles where a brush can’t reach. If left unchecked, these food particles can cause tooth decay.

Visiting Your Dentist Regularly: Scheduling a cleaning and oral exam with All People Dentistry every six months is a healthy practice. Consistent check-ups can identify and help address more complicated dental issues that just brushing and flossing do not.

Is a professional cleaning necessary?

Yes, it is. First, a professional teeth cleaning helps in the identification and prevention of major dental problems. Secondly, a professional teeth cleaning helps monitor overall body health. Certain medical conditions are linked to personal oral health. Some symptoms are initially noticed through changes in your dental health. It is only later that symptoms are evident in the rest of the body. Such conditions can include leukemia, diabetes, certain infections, cardiovascular diseases and even strokes. Regular visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning and an oral exam help to pinpoint such conditions in their early stages.

What to Expect when having your Teeth Cleaned at All People Dentistry

Knowing what to expect at a teeth cleaning and an oral exam helps to ease any fears you might have and ultimately promotes better dental hygiene. 

1.) Oral Examination

The first step is to visually inspect your mouth with a mirror looking for patches, lumps or sores. The dentist will palpate the involved areas to assess any degree of tenderness.

The first and most common issue most dentists look for is tooth decay. Using a dental instrument called an explorer, Dr. Claypoole searches for areas on the teeth that show initial diagnostic appearance of decay and indicators of cavities.

Any problems with your jaw or your bite manifest themselves in specific physical indicators. Dr. Claypoole will look for signs of teeth grinding. He may also test to determine if your bite pattern aligns correctly.

Poor gum spacing: 

Gum disease is another common issue that requires the dentist’s attention. The space between your teeth and gums may indicate the presence of periodontal disease.

2) Scaling

Plaque buildup in your mouth occurs over time. Regular brushing and flossing help to eliminate it. When plaque remains on your teeth over an extended period of time, it hardens and forms tartar. This tarter can only be removed by scaling.

Using a tool called a scaler, the hygienist will scrape tartar to remove it from the teeth. The hygienist can also utilize an ultrasonic scaler that creates soft vibrations combined with a waterjet that breaks up the tartar. Water is then used to wash the tarter away.

3) Coronal Polishing

After removing tartar, the dental hygienist will use a powerful electric brush and a special toothpaste to polish your teeth, eliminate any remaining tartar and remove minor enamel stains. Polished teeth are less receptive to oral bacteria and plaque. Abrasive polishing is not recommended for daily home dental care as it may damage tooth enamel.

4) Fluoride Treatment

A fluoride treatment may be applied at this point. The treatment will combat bacteria for up to several months beyond the cleaning. The application involves painting fluoride varnish over your teeth. The varnish will harden upon contact with saliva.

Sound oral hygiene requires regular professional teeth cleaning. Brushing your teeth and flossing at home combine with professional teeth cleaning to remove bacteria and tartar. Frequent oral exams with your dentist are essential to prevent and manage dental issues.

To foster sound oral hygiene, All People Dentistry offers financial plans to keep your dental visits affordable. A better understanding of the professional teeth cleaning process relieves fear and promotes oral health. Call All People Dentistry to schedule an appointment. Browse our website to learn more about who we are and our services. Take charge of your oral health today.