~ Professional Teeth Cleanings
Professional Teeth Cleanings
Teeth cleanings are a part of oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing your teeth are beneficial for the oral health. However, plaque can still build up on the teeth surface. In addition, certain drinks can contribute to teeth staining, which is impossible to remove at home. At Midland Family Smiles, we recommended routine dental cleanings. Professional cleaning is vital to maintain healthy gums and teeth by removing debris, plaques, and stains.
Brushing and flossing at home
First, a pea sized amount of toothpaste should be placed on your toothbrush. We recommend using an electric toothbrush whenever patients have reduced manual dexterity. Conventional manual brushes can also be used provided that proper technique and angulation are implemented.
Next, move the brush in circular motions over your teeth and gums including the tongue. Continue this process for 2 minutes every morning and evening as a minimum to maintain oral health. We suggest bushing before your breakfast in the morning and before you go to bed at night. We also recommend using fluoride toothpaste as it helps to prevent caries and re-mineralize tooth enamel. Thus, reducing the possibility of tooth decay. If you have sensitive teeth, Sensodyne toothpaste can be a great choice. It contains potassium nitrate that helps to reduce the sensitivity.
Lastly, you need to clean between your teeth by using dental floss. Wrap the floss around your two middle fingers to make sure the floss is properly secure. Place the floss between your two teeth wrapping around one of the teeth creating a “C shape” or tooth hugging and scrape that side of the tooth. Make sure the floss drops below the gum line as many bacteria can be harbored in that area. Repeat the same hugging motion for all other teeth surfaces.
What can you expect during your visit?
During your first visit a set of X-rays will be taken to make sure a proper diagnosis is established for your mouth. These X-rays check for cavities, the level of the bone, and presence of pathology. Then your gums will be measured with a special ruler to check the health of surrounding gum tissue. An oral cancer exam is also performed during this visit to check for any suspicious lumps or bumps. Finally, we will clean your teeth. An ultrasonic scaler can be utilized during your cleaning. This scaler removes plaque, tartar, and stains that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. Hand scalers are also used. At the end of the appointment, your teeth will be polished to make the surface smooth and less likely for bacteria to adhere.
