Do you want to get your teeth cleaned but you are scared or curious about the procedure then sit back and relax I'll explain every detail to you.
Teeth cleaning is a layman term which is used by common people but when you enter a dental clinic your dentist or hygienist will use a term called as scaling and polishing or oral prophylaxis for the same process, Don't panic they will only clean your teeth and nothing else.
Now let's discuss the procedure
Teeth cleaning can be done by an authorized dental hygienist or a dentist in a proper controlled and sterile environment of the dental clinic.
When you reach dental clinic, First you will be questioned about your health history and other dental and medical health problems.
If they see no health related problem which is related to the outcome of the procedure then they will make you lie down on a dental chair with semi supine or supine position.
There are two type of methods to clean your tooth
1. Manual instruments- These are hand held stainless steel instruments with minute heads for cleaning various surfaces and interdental reas of tooth. These instruments are called as Perodontal scalers.
2. Ultrasonic scaler- this is an advanced way of cleaning teeth, this equipment have interchangeable tips which vibrates and causes dislodgment of any debris on the teeth.
What ever is the method objective of teeth cleaning is same:
Removal or plaque, calculus and food debris from the tooth surface and interdental area.
1.Hand instruments-
If your dentist is using hand held periodontal scalers then it will take more time, He will adapt the instrument on the tooth surface and then give a stroke to remove the plaque or calculus, He will repeat this process on all the teeth and on all the surface of the tooth. even between the interdental area of teeth. He may irrigate the area with chlorhexidine mouth wash. This process is usually painless if done properly.
After Scaling is completed he will use a prophylaxis paste to clean and polish the tooth surface, this paste is loaded on a rubber cup which is mounted on a handpiece like device. The polishing cup will rotate and polish the tooth surface.
2.Ultrasonic scalers-
If your dentist is using ultrasonic scalers then you may find the process done faster, Ultrasonic scaler is a kind of machine which produces vibrations at a controlled frequency, This vibrations are transmitted to the tip of the instrument. when this tip comes in contact with the tooth surface it removes any kind of calculus or palque from the tooth surface.
This machine is much easy and fast to handle. If done correctly it will produce no pain and no side effects or harm.
Polishing is done after teeth cleaning in same manner as above mentioned.
If you have lots of debris and if your oral hygiene condition is bad then dentist may take multiple visits for the teeth cleaning.
Conclusion-
Do not get scared of teeth cleaning it will not cause any pain if you don't have any periodontal infections, It is a routine procedure and easy, Some dentist may suggest you to get your teeeth cleaned every six month but it really depends upon your oral hygiene status and .If you have very good oral hygiene status then you may go to a dentist at least once in a year for teeth cleaning.