In #LosAngeles and #DTLA people care about their #smile. Professional teeth cleaning by a #dentist or #dental hygienist helps to remove plaque, tartar, and stains that have accumulated on the teeth. Even with routine brushing and flossing of your teeth and gums, tartar can develop. Thus, professional dental cleaning is a crucial part of good oral hygiene and is needed periodically to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. We recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months to reduce the likelihood of periodontal disease. In between cleanings, good oral hygiene at home is vital to prevent tartar build-up and gum disease.
Dental cleanings are designed to remove plaque and tartar deposits that have built up on teeth over time. Plaque is the sticky soft film that contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria found in plaque is what causes gum disease and tooth decay if not removed by daily brushing and flossing. Tartar is a hard calcified deposit that forms on the teeth and can contribute to their decay. Dentists use specialized instruments to gently remove these deposits without causing harm to the teeth. A dental mirror will also be used to help the dentist inspect hard-to-see areas in the mouth. It can help the dentist observe the teeth and gums for signs of irritation, swelling, decay, tartar, or bleeding.
At River Dentistry, the primary tool we use for dental cleaning is state-of-the-art ultrasonic instrument. This device uses mild vibrations to loosen larger pieces of tartar. It also sprays subsequent mists of cool water to wash away loose debris. The tips of the ultrasonic instrument are rounded and curved, and kept in constant motion. The settings on the device are adjusted for your comfort.
Once larger pieces of tartar are dislodged, the doctor will make the switch to finer hand-held instruments. Often referred to as curettes or scalers, these tools are designed to eliminate smaller deposits on the teeth and smooth the tooth surfaces. Each tooth must be scaled individually to ensure that all tartar is removed.
Once the surfaces of the teeth are smooth, the dentist will polish the teeth. Using a slow-speed hand piece containing a soft rubber cup, the polishing device spins at the tip to smooth teeth. Prophylaxis paste, a gritty toothpaste-like solution, is put into the rubber cup. The cup containing the solution spins on the teeth to create a shiny, smooth surface.
The majority of dental patients find routine teeth cleaning to be painless. The cooling mist of water, mild vibrations, and the pressure felt during “scraping” does not generally cause discomfort. It’s important to let your dentist know if the cleaning is beginning to cause pain, so that they can recommend alterative options to make your teeth cleaning more enjoyable. Most dental cleanings last around 30 minutes and are performed in a semi-horizontal position in a comfortable dental chair.
After a professional teeth cleaning, you may notice that your teeth feel fresher and look brighter. But teeth cleaning procedures are designed for more than just appearances. Professional teeth cleaning treatments are the primary means of preventing and treating periodontal disease and maintaining dental health.
For more information about dental cleaning and to schedule your appointment with our certified dental hygienist, call River Dentistry at 213-486-0006 or make your appointment online.
