Why You Need to do dental deep cleaning

Dental deep cleaning is quite a bit more than just brushing twice a day.  Inadequate dental deep cleaning can lead to a variety of related health issues, such as tartar buildup on the enamel surfaces of your teeth, encouragement of anaerobic destructive bacteria, calcium or bone loss, and increased potential for the acquisition of chronic illness.  Many of these symptoms are almost unidentifiable until is too late.

Now that you’re listening, a qualified dentist or hygienist should do your dental deep cleaning, preferably every six months.  Professional dental deep cleaning can be broken down into three main subcategories, namely: scaling, root planning, and polishing.

Scaling is simply the removal of plaque, and traditionally it involved scraping the excess tartar from the teeth using dental instruments, and is done manually.  However, recent technological advancements have increased the scope of scaling.

Electric scaling was the first technological breakthrough, though dentists still recommend that electric scaling be accompanied by manual scaling.  Even more recently, ultrasonic scaling has been developed using a machine called a cavitron to remove excess plaque.  However, ultrasonic scaling typically removes only 50% of plaque, and manual scaling is recommended in conjunction with both electric and ultrasonic techniques.  In recent years, laser techniques have been developed to remove pockets of plaque residing near or below the gum line, but these often require local anesthesia.

Root planning is basically gum work, the cleaning of pockets to prevent further development of periodontal or gum disease.  When gums are inflamed, the pockets tend to become deeper, making it much easier for them to trap plaque deposits, further worsening the condition of the gums.  Root planning is the manual scaling of the gum pockets to protect the gums from excess plaque buildup, and can sometimes be a painful process requiring local anesthesia.

Polishing is the final step of a good dental deep cleaning, and involves two main kinds of polishers: the prophy jet polisher and the rubber tip polish with prophy paste.  Prophy jet polishing works but spraying powered water mixed with baking soda on the teeth.  The powered water helps remove any excess plaque, and the baking soda neutralizes acidic conditions in the mouth while simultaneously fighting stains.  Rubber tip polishing normally implements a polishing paste made of abrasive materials that remove stains.

Routine dental deep cleanings are your first line of defense against oral cancers, gum disease, ulceration, and easily avoidable oral health problems such as bad breath (halitosis), gingivitis, tartar (calculus) buildup, and tooth decay.  While brushing and flossing alone can remove as much as 70% of the plaque on your teeth, the other 30% lurks in areas that are harder to reach, and professional cleanings are the most sensible preventive medicine.

People with heart problems or diabetes need to consult their physician before undergoing certain types of procedures related to dental deep cleanings, but don’t let your fear of the dentist override your common sense. A cleaning today (or twice yearly) can stave off severe oral health problems tomorrow.