Teeth polishing is a common dental procedure, often performed following a dental cleaning. Using specialized equipment, dentists or hygienists remove stains and discolorations from your teeth and smooth them out to provide a glossy, attractive finish.
Deep cleaning involves removing plaque from areas of the teeth below the gumline to help reduce the gap between the teeth and gums caused by gum disease. The procedure differs from a regular scale or scale and polish, where your dentist removes plaque from above the gumline.
Though not absolutely necessary, polishing teeth after scaling does help to remove stains and remove bacteria from tooth roots that the normal scaling procedure could not reach and remove. Everyone should undergo the polishing procedure because even regular brushing cannot prevent tartar build up.
Immediately after a deep cleaning you might have some discomfort and aching. After your mouth has had some time to heal you should notice some of the following improvements: Decreased bleeding when brushing and flossing. Better smelling breath.
The disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth include nerve damage and potential infections if you have a compromised immune system. The cleaning might cause pain, and sensitivity in the treatment doesn't guarantee reattachment of your gums to the teeth. The cleaning might even cause further gum recession.
For some, the “weird” feeling may be a sense of cleanliness by not having a film of plaque on their teeth. For others, they may experience temporary tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity most often occurs after a dentist performs a deep cleaning which involves more contact with a patient's gums than regular cleaning.
After we clean your teeth, we'll look at the condition and health of your teeth, looking specifically for signs of tooth decay and gum disease. To do this, our dentist will look into your mouth using a small metal probe and a small, angled mirror.
Avoid hot foods and drinks for 4 hours after teeth cleaning. Hot food and drink can dissolve the fluoride before it has a chance to set permanently. The heat can also be uncomfortable for the patient experiencing tender gums and sensitive teeth after the cleaning.
On average, it takes about 5 – 7 days for your gums to heal after deep cleaning. During this period, it's possible to experience minor gum soreness, swelling, and tooth sensitivity.
The American Dental Hygienists' Association advises that polishing shouldn't be considered routine in a dental cleaning, so you can feel free to skip it.
Tooth polishing is a painless dental procedure, and some patients enjoy it. The dental hygienist usually uses a small, soft rubber cup and polishing paste.
Dentists generally recommend you have your teeth cleaned every six months (twice a year). Research has found, though, that in some cases more frequent cleanings can positively benefit your oral health.
Root planing involves smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth with a curette so the gum tissue can more firmly reattach to roots that are clean and smooth to prevent tooth loss and sensitivity problems. The procedure makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate on the root surfaces.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, and suffer from bone loss, inflammation, and/or tartar has accumulated beneath the gumline, then the hygienist will need to clean 'deeper' below the gumline, and this is often known as a dental deep cleaning.
There are two main reasons why dentists prefer splitting root scaling and planing treatments into multiple sessions. The first reason is to avoid numbing the patient's entire mouth. The effect of a local anesthetic lingers for hours after getting injected.
After a deep cleaning when the bacteria in the pockets has been removed, it is important to keep up your oral hygiene routine. When can I floss after a deep cleaning? Wait approximately 24 hours before flossing. There will be swelling which may reach its maximum at 48 or 72 hours after treatment.
A common belief amongst patients is that having your teeth cleaned every 6 months is adequate in maintaining good oral health. While this is true for a small percentage of the population, majority of the patients need a professional cleaning every 3 to 4 months.
As for stains, your twice-yearly teeth cleaning will make your teeth cleaner and brighter overall, but may not be able to eliminate all stains. However, they do help make teeth less prone to staining. Keeping your tooth enamel clean mitigates the effects of such stain producers as tobacco, wine, coffee, and tea.
Run your tongue over all the surfaces of your teeth. If your teeth feel as smooth as glass, you've done a good job of brushing. If some areas still feel a bit rough, you should brush them again. Bacteria start forming the layer of biofilm in as little as two hours after brushing.
Any food or drink that is high in acid like tomatoes, citrus fruits, pickles, fruit juice and red wine are harsh on your mouth after a deep dental cleaning. Spicy and heavily seasoned foods may also cause your mouth some discomfort. Foods like hamburgers will cause you to open your mouth wider.
Although deep teeth cleanings are uncomfortable, you will likely not experience severe discomfort because you receive local anesthesia or topical anesthetic to numb your gums. However, you can expect some sensitivity to the procedure with swelling and minor bleeding.
A deep dental cleaning is necessary when there is a significant amount of bacteria and tartar buildup on the surfaces of your teeth. Once pockets form from gum disease, the bacteria and tartar begin to fill these pockets. If not removed, periodontal disease and eventually tooth loss can take place.