What are the types of dental cleanings?
The first type of cleaning is the prophylaxis cleaning, something that you get when you don't have gum disease, typically every 6 months.
The next one is the full mouth debridement cleaning. It is done when there's more tartar buildup than a regular cleaning can handle, but it is still all visible above the gum line. You might need a slightly deeper cleaning, but it's still very light.
The next type of cleaning is deep cleaning, called scaling and root planning. This means that the calculus formation, the tartar formation, has entered the gum and is beneath the gum surface. It's inside the soft tissue and can usually only be detected with special instruments or on digital dental X-rays. The doctor would recommend a deep cleaning in this case.
Lastly, there is a maintenance cleaning or periodontal maintenance, usually done after a deep cleaning, recommended more often than every 6 months. People are often on a two, three, or four-month schedule for this type of maintenance.
What happens if teeth are not cleaned regularly?
If something is not cleaned on time, a bigger problem will occur. For example, if you're not getting your regular prophylaxis cleaning every 6 months, and you skip it a couple of times, you'll need a deeper cleaning. It could get to the point where someone not only needs cleaning but also needs to see a gum specialist for gum surgery.
You're also allowing an infection that has access to your body through your gums. Your bloodstream reaches the gums, and bacteria can travel to your heart. If bacteria cause trouble in your gums and have access to your heart, they can cause trouble with your heart or elsewhere in your body. You don't want that.
Does regular dental cleaning improve dental health?
The answer is yes, it does. It improves dental health. Of course, if you have cavities or are missing teeth, even a million cleanings won't make a tooth grow back. However, it does help your overall dental health to be in good condition.
How does the dentist do a deep cleaning?
A dentist or hygienist performs it in quarters of the mouth. The whole mouth is divided into quarters: upper right, upper left, lower right, or lower left. You can have one quarter, half of the mouth, or the entire mouth cleaned, depending on your comfort level during the procedure.
For comfort, you might not need any anesthetic or just a topical cream anesthetic. You might get anesthetic injected between the tooth and the gum, which is not like a regular injection, or you may have regular injections to numb the entire mouth or one quarter of it.
Will a dental cleaning make my teeth whiter?
If you have stains on your teeth, yes. However, does it make your teeth shades whiter, like turning yellow teeth white? I don't think that's appropriate or likely to happen during a dental cleaning.
Does hygienist cleaning usually hurt?
No, it's painless. Normally, people don't need any injections. Most of the time, they're nervous about experiencing pain. When you're nervous, even as much as looking in your mouth seems painful, but it's just nerves playing tricks. In reality, it is a painless procedure.
How can I schedule a teeth cleaning appointment at Steinway Family Dental Center?
If you’re looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (929) 238-9944 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!