Teeth Cleaning
Jefferson Hills, PA
Dental Cleaning provided by Dr. Kenneth Poleski
in Jefferson Hills, PA at Poleski Family Dentistry
 Did you know that your mouth is home to thousands of naturally occurring bacteria? Offering a wet, warm and rich environment, the mouth is the perfect breeding ground for microbes. While microbes are essential for maintaining balance in your oral cavity, excess bacteria can be detrimental to your dental health.
The good news is that you can remove harmful bacteria from your mouth. By incorporating regular dental cleaning practices at home and scheduling professional teeth cleaning with us at Poleski Family Dentistry, you can get rid of harmful microbes in your oral cavity and maintain good oral hygiene.
What Is a Teeth Cleaning?
Teeth cleaning is one of the oral hygiene measures that can help remove excess plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth. While brushing is one of the measures to reduce excess plaque and tartar build-up, sometimes, it's not enough to clean your teeth.
Ineffective brushing techniques and negligence in maintaining good oral hygiene lead to excess plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth. Accumulation of plaque and tartar results in gum disease. Untreated gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can damage the jawbone that supports the teeth.
That's when there's a need for professional intervention and teeth-cleaning measures. Professional dental cleaning helps remove tartar and plaque build-up on your teeth. Moreover, it helps reduce gum inflammation and improve gum health.
The American Dental Association recommends regular dental check-ups twice a year to prevent plaque and tartar build-up and associated dental concerns such as gum disease. Check-ups allow Dr. Poleski to assess your oral health and recommend professional teeth cleanings if required. A six-month check-up is also a good time to discuss oral hygiene practices with the dentist and get insight into your oral and overall health and well-being.
What Are Different Types of Dental Cleanings?
The most basic dental cleaning can be conveniently performed at home via regular brushing and flossing. At-home cleaning involves effectively brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session, ensuring that you clean the front and back of your teeth. Moreover, it also involves cleaning your tongue to remove bacteria build-up that causes bad breath.
The other type of dental cleaning involves professionals. Two different types of professional cleanings can be used depending on an individual's oral health condition. However, both types of professional dental cleanings have a common goal: to get rid of excess plaque deposits and tartar build-up that can cause gum disease and other oral health problems.
Routine dental cleaning is a common type of regular cleaning that our dentist may perform at your regular six-month check-up. It is recommended to treat mild tartar build-up and resulting gum disease. During a regular cleaning, our dentist will use specialized tools to remove tartar and plaque deposits from the surfaces of your teeth above the gums.
However, in some case, routine cleaning isn't enough. In case of excessive tartar build-up and bacterial infection below the gum, your dental practitioner may recommend deep dental cleanings. Deep dental cleaning helps remove bacterial growth below the gum and around the tooth roots to prevent receding gums and resulting tooth loss. Deep cleaning also involves the application of antibiotic gel along with cleaning techniques to help reduce gum sensitivity and restore gum tissue.
Read More About Deep Cleaning for Treating Gum Disease
What is the Typical Procedure During a Dental Cleaning?
A typical dental cleaning procedure includes the following steps.
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A Physical Exam
Dentists thoroughly examine the oral cavity before starting the cleaning process which helps check the condition of your teeth and gums.
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The Cleaning Process
Following the check-up of your oral cavity, the dentist uses specialized equipment to remove plaque and tartar around your gum line. The harder the tartar, the more time your dentist will need to clean your teeth. After the removal of tartar, your dentist will brush your teeth using a high-powered electric brush and professional cleaning toothpaste. You may hear a loud, grinding noise at this point, but the procedure is pain-free and is an effective measure to completely remove any tartar left behind. Following the brushing, our dental expert will clean the spaces between your teeth using floss. While it's common to experience discomfort at this point, the process thoroughly cleans your oral cavity. This step is completed by thoroughly rinsing your mouth to clear away any debris.
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Fluoride Application
The last step of professional dental cleaning involves fluoride application. Fluoride is used to protect your teeth as it helps fight cavities. Fluoride application helps prevent cavities for several months. |
What Are the Benefits of a Dental Cleaning?
Professional dental cleaning offers several benefits, which include the following.
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Clean, build-up free teeth
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A healthy oral cavity
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Reduced risk of cavities and tooth loss
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Brighter smile
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Fresh breath
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Reduced risk and early detection of other health conditions, including cardiac issues and diabetes |
How Long Do Dental Cleanings Take?
A professional dental check-up and routine cleaning typically take between 30 minutes and one hour. However, the exact duration of the procedure will depend on the amount of tartar build-up and the overall health of your oral cavity.
Can I Brush After a Dental Cleaning?
You can resume your regular activities like brushing and eating after dental cleaning. However, waiting for 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything is recommended. You can brush your teeth after a few hours. Waiting for a few hours before brushing is recommended to reduce the stress of cleaning. Furthermore, it helps reduce the sensitivity of the recovering area.
Does a Dental Cleaning Hurt?
Routine dental cleaning involves the removal of tartar build-up from your gum line. While the procedure requires the use of a scraper, it doesn't generally hurt. However, deep cleaning goes a little further into your gum line, which can irritate the gums and can cause pain. Therefore, deep cleaning is usually performed under local anesthesia.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
If you are struggling with oral hygiene issues, schedule an appointment at Poleski Family Dentistry. We will assess your oral health and recommend dental cleaning to ensure a healthy oral cavity. |
