Created 16/12/2023.
WHAT IS A DENTAL CLEANING?
One of the most demanded treatments in dentistry is professional dental cleaning or dental prophylaxis. Dental prophylaxis is a procedure that fulfills an important preventive function, relevant to the prevention of some dental diseases.
Broadly speaking, dental cleaning consists of removing tartar and stains that are on the teeth or under the gums. Only a licensed professional, such as a dentist or dental hygienist, can perform this 30-40 minute procedure. It is important to consult an expert because, if the cleaning is performed incorrectly, it can cause serious oral health problems.
Anyone can have their teeth professionally cleaned, as long as they do not have severe gum disease such as chronic periodontitis or pyorrhea. For these diseases, what is required is a complete periodontal treatment.
Dental cleanings are essential to maintain dental and gum health. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash is important, but regular dental visits are also essential.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE:
Regular dental cleaning at the dentist’s office is more than a healthy habit, it is a necessity when it comes to keeping dental health in an optimal state. Even when good oral hygiene is practiced, plaque and tartar build-up at the gum line or the neck of the teeth is almost inevitable.
In fact, dental cleaning is the best way to prevent the appearance of periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) and, as a consequence, to avoid tooth loss due to this cause. In addition, dental cleaning can also remove stains from the teeth caused by tobacco, coffee, etc.
In the case of gingivitis, it is necessary to clean the bacteria that have accumulated by removing dental plaque and dental calculus (also called tartar, which is mineralized plaque). This case is eliminated with a prophylaxis or an oral cleaning.
In periodontitis, treatment is organized in two phases. In the first phase, also called the basic phase of treatment, bacteria will be removed from the periodontal pockets by scaling and root planing (incorrectly called curettage), which involves cleaning bacteria, plaque and calculus from the roots of the teeth. Sometimes, this phase of treatment is accompanied by the use of antibiotics.
However, in aggressive or advanced disease, it is necessary to perform a second phase of treatment, which will consist of accessing these deep periodontal pockets. This phase is called periodontal surgery. Occasionally, during periodontal surgery, techniques for regeneration of lost bone can also be applied in a localized manner. When active treatment ends, the disease should be controlled. At this point the maintenance phase begins, which is a fundamental stage of periodontal treatment and the only way to achieve long-term control of periodontitis. The basic and surgical phases are very effective in controlling bacteria and achieving periodontal health, but these bacteria tend to recolonize the periodontal pocket from other oral reservoirs and, if not acted upon properly, the disease tends to recur after a few months.
At each maintenance visit, the dentist, periodontist or dental hygienist will perform protocolized actions consisting of the following points:
– verification of the clinical situation tooth by tooth;
– assessment of your oral hygiene and removal of calculus and bacteria on an individual basis, depending on the situation of the different areas of the mouth.
– It is important to emphasize that periodontal maintenance is not only a professional prophylaxis (“mouth cleaning”), but an individualized medical action adapted to the needs of each patient.
The frequency of maintenance is defined on a case-by-case basis, but usually ranges from one visit every 3 to 6 months.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD A CLEANING BE DONE?
If you haven’t been to the dentist for more than 3 months, it’s time for you to go for a dental check-up.
dental check-up and cleaning. Some patients can have it done every year and some require monthly visits, but most dentists recommend a dental cleaning every 6 months, depending on the patient’s oral hygiene.
TIPS FOR GOOD ORAL HYGIENE:
The objective of good oral hygiene is to eliminate oral biofilm and its harmful effects on teeth and gums. The main guidelines to be followed are:
-Use plate developers. These make the oral biofilm more visible and therefore make brushing easier.
-Clean teeth daily. Tooth brushing is performed to remove debris left in the mouth after meals, but above all to get rid of bacterial dental plaque. It should be performed at least three times a day and may require 3 to 4 minutes.
It is necessary to use a correct brushing technique. There are several brushing techniques, but there is no one brushing technique that is suitable for all people, as this is determined by the morphology of the dentition, the patient’s manual dexterity, etc. The recommended brushing technique is the one that allows the removal of oral biofilm in a comfortable way, in an adequate time and without causing any type of injury to the tissues.
The technique we emphasize is the Bass Technique because it eliminates the bacteria found in the gingival margin, which cause gum disease. This technique consists of tilting the brush 45 degrees between tooth and gingiva, so that the filaments are in contact with the gingiva-tooth margin and cover two or three teeth. It is advisable to make very small vibrating or circular movements with the handle without pressure and without the filaments moving from their position in the gingiva. On the anterior teeth, on the lingual side, the brush should be placed vertically.
When choosing our toothbrush, it is better that the brush head size is not too large and that the filaments are medium or soft, to better adapt to the dental anatomy and not be abrasive. The brush should be changed approximately every 2-4 months, depending on wear and tear. A worn toothbrush does not perform an adequate removal of oral biofilm and can also damage the gums. If we use an electric toothbrush, we must remember that it already has movement and, therefore, we have to change the surface very slowly and we can even imitate a conventional brushing technique, if the brush head allows it.
To clean between the teeth (interproximal spaces), we will use dental floss or dental strips or, if the spaces are wide, interproximal brushes of different sizes. It is very important to clean these areas at least once a day, as they represent 40% of the tooth surfaces. Therefore, if we do not use dental floss or interproximal brushes, we are leaving almost half of the mouth uncleaned.
-Perform tongue cleaning. Special tongue cleaners or scrapers are available to facilitate this work. The tongue should be cleaned in a back and forth motion to remove food debris, sloughed cells, mucus, bacteria, etc.
-Use oral irrigators. The direct application of a water jet or mouthwash helps to eliminate bacteria deposited on the teeth, gums and hard-to-reach places.
–Mouth rinses (daily use or specific according to needs) help to achieve complete oral hygiene, effectively reduce oral biofilm and provide maximum freshness.
-Control consumption of sugary foods. Ideally, avoid eating them, but if they are consumed, it is important to brush your teeth afterwards.
-Regular visits to the dentist. It is advisable to visit the dentist for a check-up of the mouth at least 1-2 times a year, as well as a professional cleaning.
At IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza, we follow editorial principles that guarantee the authenticity of all the information we disseminate. If you are interested in learning more about how we ensure that our content is always up-to-date and accurately supported, we invite you to review our editorial commitment.
This article has been supervised by Dr. Ferran Novell Costa and Dra. Erjona Demiraj, specialists in Dental Health and Dental Aesthetics treatments. Responsible for the treatments provided at IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza and for the supervision and/or updating of the contents of this blog entry. (7/11/2023). The recommendations described are not generic and do not replace the diagnosis and evaluation of a professional in a dental office. If you want us to clarify any aspect or you want a personalized diagnosis and advice we recommend you to come to our dental clinics.
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