Cleaning and Polishing - platinumdentistrypallikaranai.in

Cleaning AND Polishing in pallikaranai

Understanding CLEANING AND POLISHING: More Than Just a Procedure

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, which could not apply more, than in dentistry. Teeth cleaning is something you need to do on a regular maintenance schedule to make sure nothing sneaks up on you and creates a bigger issue. It aids in the removal of tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach in routine toothbrushing.

What is Teeth Cleaning ? A Deeper Dive

If you have ever visited a dentist, you may have been advised to undergo teeth cleaning. The reason for this is that we all develop tartar and calculus on our teeth and gums due to the saliva in our mouth and the food we eat that forms a thin layer on these surfaces.

All these, regularly, form incremental layers giving rise to tartar. When this tartar gets calcified due to the calcium ions in our saliva, it is called calculus. Calculus is hard and brittle and does not get dislodged with routine brushing and flossing once formed.

Teeth cleaning and polishing are routine dental procedures that help keep your teeth healthy by removing harmful deposits and stains.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day.

If not removed, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), which regular brushing can’t remove.

A dentist or hygienist uses special tools to gently scrape away tartar, especially around the gum line and between teeth.

Scaling focuses on cleaning under the gum line to prevent gum disease.

This step ensures your gums stay healthy and free from infections.

After cleaning, polishing makes your teeth smooth and shiny by:

Using a Special Paste:

A gritty toothpaste-like substance is applied to your teeth.

It helps remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, smoking, or food.

Polishing with a Rotating Brush:

A small spinning brush or rubber cup is used to spread the paste and polish your teeth.

This makes your teeth feel smooth and clean.

Your Gums Look Swollen
Gums are supposed to be pink and tightly bound to the tissue. Healthy gums don’t bleed when you brush them. Sometimes gums can bleed for a variety of reasons: hormones, medication, and trauma from chewing food that can lacerate the tissue. Swollen gums look puffy, tender, sore to the touch, and just generally make your mouth feel achy. There are a variety of reasons for this, some of which can be plaque or calculus on the gum line that makes it challenging to get in there and clean. It’s a chronic irritation of that tissue and it stays swollen and achy.
There are many other reasons as well, such as an abscess of a tooth, a failing restoration, or something systemic. Regardless of the cause, swollen gums are something that needs to be checked out.

Your Gums Bleed With Even Light Contact
The most common cause of this bleeding is inflammation caused by plaque or calculus. Many times, home care may not be enough to get to calculus below the gum line. We have the tools and materials needed to get underneath the gum tissue and clean everything up to help the tissue become healthy again. Other factors, like medications or pregnancy, can cause the gum tissue to be hypersensitive, swollen, and prone to bleeding. These are all things that if we know about, we can address and help you maintain a healthy mouth.

Your Breath Starts to Drive People Away
Bad breath or halitosis is a result of bacteria that have been left behind in your mouth that produce odour as they feed off food particles. These food particles can be stuck in little nooks and crannies between your teeth, the grooves, your tongue, or even in the folds of your cheek. That’s why very thorough home care is important, to rinse all the food and bacteria out, and give your mouth a chance to be healthy.

Cold Things Begin to Feel Unpleasant
Occasional tooth sensitivity is normal. However, if you have a tooth or an area in your mouth that is chronically sensitive to cold to the point where you are actually changing your diet or changing where in your mouth you’re chewing, that’s something we need to check out.

Step-by-Step:

Performing a physical exam

Removing plaque and tartar

Polishing the teeth

Flossing and locating trouble spots

Instructing the patient to rinse with mouthwash

Applying fluoride treatment (optional)

Technology:

One of the most significant advancements in dental hygiene is ultrasonic cleaning. This technique uses high-frequency sound waves to break up stubborn plaque and tartar. It’s faster, more comfortable, and more efficient than traditional hand scaling

Myth 1: Dental cleaning can produce sensitivity.
Fact: Dental cleaning is a non-invasive process. Mild transient sensitivity is expected in cases of excessive growth of plaque and calculus on teeth. Calculus or tartar on teeth makes the gums shrink. Scaling identifies areas of the teeth that were previously coated with tartar, thus exposing the tooth roots. This might produce temporary sensitivity, which improves in a day or two. Sensitivity toothpaste which incorporates potassium nitrate that can help in reducing sensitivity.
Myth 2: Dental cleaning can lead to tooth mobility.
Fact: Unless a person is undergoing bone related diseases, scaling does not lead to mobility of the tooth. Routine dental checkups and scaling conducted by experts in every six months can assist in early detection and prevention of bone loss.
Myth 3: Cleaning teeth involves the removal of enamel.
Fact: Ultrasonic scaling involves mechanical vibration of the round scaling tips along with consistent irrigation with water. It is used to reduce hard calculus from the outside of the tooth and does not harm the enamel or any oral tissue.
Myth 4: Beauty salons are safe places to get your teeth whitened
Fact: While some beauty salons offer teeth whitening, this is illegal if there’s no dental professional present and can bring significant risks.
Myth 5: Tooth scaling or cleaning weakens teeth
Fact: Tooth cleaning procedure eliminates sticky plaque and calculus with harmless ultrasonic technology. The high frequency non-invasive waves are the safest method to remove the stubborn deposits that your usual daily routine can’t sufficiently deal with.

It may take five to seven days for a patient’s gums to heal after a deep cleaning. During this period, they may experience minor bleeding or swelling in their gums. Their teeth may also be a little more sensitive than usual, managed with anti-sensitivity toothpaste or fluoride varnish. After the procedure, patients should wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking, steer clear of hot foods and drinks for four hours after the cleaning, and brush gently before bed.
1. Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks
For the first 24–48 hours, your teeth might be more susceptible to stains. Avoid:
Coffee, tea, and red wine.
Dark-colored sodas or fruit juices.
Foods with strong pigments, like curry, soy sauce, or beets.
2. Be Gentle With Your Teeth
Wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything (besides water) to let the fluoride treatment settle.
If your gums feel tender, eat soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or soup for a day or two.
3. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth hydrated and help flush away bacteria and food particles.
4. Avoid Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Tobacco products can stain your teeth and irritate your gums, especially after cleaning. Try to avoid them for at least 24 hours—or quit altogether for better oral health.
5. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth gently twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Floss daily to remove debris and plaque between teeth.
Rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash to keep your breath fresh and gums healthy.
6. Manage Sensitivity
It’s normal for teeth to feel slightly sensitive after cleaning, especially if you had tartar removed near the gumline.
Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth to ease discomfort.
Avoid very hot, cold, or acidic foods for a day or two.

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FAQs

Why Is Cleaning and Polishing Important?

Prevents Cavities: Removes bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
Stops Gum Disease: Keeps your gums healthy by reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
Freshens Breath: Removes odors caused by bacteria in your mouth.
Brightens Teeth: Polishing helps remove surface stains, giving you a cleaner, whiter smile.
Maintains Overall Health: Good oral health is linked to better overall health, reducing the risk of issues like heart disease.

Why is teeth cleaning necessary if I brush and floss daily?

Even with regular brushing and flossing, it’s hard to remove all plaque and tartar, especially from hard-to-reach areas like between teeth or below the gumline. Professional cleaning ensures your teeth and gums stay healthy by removing this buildup.

How Often Should I Do It?

It’s recommended to have your teeth cleaned and polished by a dentist or hygienist every 6 months. However, if you have gum disease or heavy tartar buildup, your dentist might suggest more frequent visits.