Teeth Cleaning
Maintaining a bright, healthy smile starts with good oral hygiene habits. However, even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque and bacteria can build up on your teeth over time. This can lead to various dental issues, including gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. At Hornsby Dental, we offer professional teeth cleaning services designed to address these problems and help you maintain optimal oral health.
In this article, we’ll explain the importance of teeth cleaning, what to expect during your appointment, and how this treatment can benefit you in the long term. Let’s dive into why teeth cleaning is a crucial part of your overall dental care.
What is Teeth Cleaning?
Teeth cleaning, also known as a scale and clean or tooth washing, is a routine dental treatment where a dental professional removes hardened plaque (also called calculus) and bacteria from your teeth. Over time, plaque accumulates from a mixture of saliva, food particles, and bacteria. This sticky film can harden and turn into tartar if not removed through regular cleaning, leading to serious oral health issues.
At Hornsby Dental, we use state-of-the-art tools and techniques to ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and your gums remain healthy. Regular cleaning not only helps keep your smile bright but also reduces the risk of gum disease and other oral health problems.
Why Do I Need Teeth Cleaning?
Gum inflammation (gingivitis):
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, characterised by redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums, especially when brushing or flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to more severe forms of gum disease.
Bad breath (halitosis):
Plaque buildup on your teeth can contribute to bad breath. The bacteria in plaque release foul-smelling compounds, which cause unpleasant odours.
Bleeding gums:
One of the signs of gum disease, bleeding gums, often occurs when the gum tissue becomes irritated by the bacteria found in plaque.
Sore gums:
As plaque and tartar accumulate, the gums can become tender and swollen, making it painful to chew or brush your teeth.
Gum disease (periodontitis):
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease, where the infection spreads to the bone and tissue supporting the teeth. This condition can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
What to Expect During Your Teeth Cleaning Appointment
1. Comprehensive Dental Examination
Your appointment will begin with a thorough dental examination. This allows us to check the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. If any dental issues are identified—such as cavities, gum disease, or tooth damage—we will inform you and discuss possible treatment options.
2. Gum Health Check
During the examination, your dentist or hygienist will also perform a gum check to assess the health of your gums. If gum inflammation (gingivitis) is present, we will discuss how to address it and prevent it from progressing to more severe gum disease.
3. Scaling and Cleaning (Ultrasonic Scaler)
The core of your teeth cleaning appointment is the removal of plaque and tartar. To do this, we use an ultrasonic scaler, a mechanical cleaning tool that uses high-frequency vibrations to break up and remove hardened plaque from your teeth. The ultrasonic scaler helps to wash away the plaque, leaving the surface smooth and clean.
Unlike traditional scraping methods, the ultrasonic scaler gently taps against the plaque without damaging the enamel, allowing for a more comfortable cleaning experience. The tool also flushes the area with water and oxygen, which helps remove bacteria that can contribute to gum inflammation and bad breath.
4. Polishing Your Teeth
After the scaling process, we will polish your teeth using a gritty paste. This step helps smooth the surface of your teeth and removes any rough edges left behind by plaque and tartar, resulting in a shinier, smoother finish. The polishing process also removes any surface stains caused by coffee, tea, or other substances, helping your smile appear brighter and more polished.
5. Fluoride Treatment
Once your teeth are clean and polished, we will apply a fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth from decay. Fluoride helps to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities, particularly in areas that have been affected by plaque buildup.
Will I Feel Any Discomfort During My Appointment?
While teeth cleaning is generally a painless procedure, it’s normal to feel some discomfort, especially if your gums are inflamed or if you haven’t had a cleaning in a while. The ultrasonic scaler emits vibrations that may cause some sensitivity in your teeth and gums. This is especially true if you have areas of plaque buildup or gum disease.
However, our Hornsby Dental team is dedicated to ensuring your comfort. We will guide you through the procedure and make adjustments as needed to minimise any discomfort. If you have sensitive gums or teeth, we can apply numbing gel or suggest using a special toothpaste for sensitivity after your visit.
If you feel that the discomfort is more than what you’re comfortable with, please let your dentist or hygienist know. We are happy to adapt the treatment process to make you as comfortable as possible.
The Benefits of Regular Teeth Cleaning
1. Prevention of Gum Disease
Teeth cleaning is an effective way to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis. By removing plaque and tartar from your teeth, you’re helping to stop the bacteria from inflaming the gums, which is the root cause of gum disease. Regular cleaning can help maintain your gum health and prevent more severe issues from developing.
2. Reduced Risk of Tooth Decay
By removing plaque and tartar, we can help prevent the formation of cavities. Plaque contains bacteria that produce acids, which can erode the enamel on your teeth, leading to decay. Regular cleaning removes these harmful bacteria and keeps your teeth healthy.
3. Improved Breath
Bad breath can often be caused by the bacteria found in plaque and tartar. By cleaning your teeth regularly, you’ll reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth, helping to freshen your breath and eliminate that unpleasant odour.
4. Prevention of Tooth Wear and Damage
Cleaning your teeth helps prevent wear on existing dental work, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges. Plaque and tartar can cause these dental restorations to wear out prematurely, so regular cleaning ensures they remain in good condition.
5. Whiter Teeth
Teeth cleaning helps to remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, smoking, or other foods. The result is a noticeably brighter and whiter smile.
Teeth Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning (Root Planing)
Teeth cleaning
is a routine treatment that removes plaque and tartar above the gum line. It’s typically performed every six months as part of a standard dental check-up. This process doesn’t require local anaesthesia and is suitable for most people with healthy gums.
Deep cleaning,
on the other hand, is needed when plaque and tartar have built up below the gum line, often due to gum disease (periodontitis). Deep cleaning involves scaling the teeth beneath the gum line and smoothing the roots to remove bacteria. It’s a more intensive treatment that may require local anaesthesia to ensure your comfort.
Specials & Deals
New patient
check up & clean
$219 or NO GAP
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Meet Our Dentists
Dr. Mark Neih
BDS (Otago, NZ)
Dr. Philip Song
BDS (Hons) (USyd) Bsc
Dr. Richard Huang
DMD (USyd)