Dental cleaning
Just as brushing and mouthwash are part of the hygiene routine that we apply daily; dental cleaning at the hands of a professional is a must if it comes to taking care of the good health of our mouth.
In fact, while our hygiene habits at home keep our teeth clean (at least in appearance); there are small residues that adhere to them and can hardly be removed with the brush.
For this reason, dentists suggest scheduling dental prophylaxis periodically; since, by removing the plaque and the accumulated calculus, future oral health problems such as gingivitis or periodontitis will be avoided.
However, you should always remember that professional cleaning does not replace in any case the routine of cleaning at home; In this sense, it is more of a supplement that will help reinforce your oral hygiene.
Exactly what is done in a dental cleaning?
A dental abscess is nothing more than the accumulation of pus at the root of a tooth, due to an infection that spread from the dental piece to the surrounding tissues.
In particular, abscesses in the mouth can occur in different areas of the dental piece depending on their causes. There are three types:
First, the specialist performs a general check-up of your mouth to verify that there is no periodontal disease or other problem that deserves priority attention.
As soon as we make sure that everything is in order; The next step is to identify the exact location of the plaque and tartar buildup. To do this, it is necessary to apply a solution that stains the teeth and support it with a small magnifying glass.
Next, the ultrasound tip performs its work from vibrations and water pressure; which are shedding the tartar and plaque as they come into contact with the areas that have been identified.
After this, the most difficult to reach areas are flossed and interproximal brushes (between the teeth) if necessary.
Finally, a special paste for dental prophylaxis is applied; whose purpose is to remove stains, whiten teeth and polish small rough imperfections that favor the adherence of plaque to enamel.
Also to finish, a layer of fluoride gel is usually applied, which helps to regenerate tooth enamel.
Is it the same to talk about dental cleaning or curettage?
Certainly in both cases dental cleaning techniques are applied, but not in the same way and they do not seek the same thing.
Because of this, to explain curettage we must begin by indicating that it is applied deeper, until it reaches the root of the teeth (that is, it is performed under the gum line).
Therefore, this procedure requires local anesthesia and some areas of diseased tissue may need to be removed; for which it is useful to have the help of laser instrumentation.
Price of a dental cleaning in Panama
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How often should teeth cleaning be done in the specialist's office?
First of all, it must be clarified that not all people have the same needs; since they do not show the same degree of plaque accumulation.
Consequently, while some individuals can extend the time that elapses between one cleaning and another; there are people who will need to intervene their teeth in a much shorter period of time.
Despite this, the general recommendation is to perform a routine dental cleaning at least once a year.
On the other hand, if you need to do 2 or 3 cleanings in that period of time, logically you should schedule them; But if not, applying excessive prophylaxis instead of benefiting the good health of your teeth, can be detrimental to your teeth.
How long does dental prophylaxis take?
Just as we already indicated that each person develops bacterial plaque in a different way, the complexity of each patient will imply a different effort and consequently the approach time varies.
However, the average to carry out this procedure is approximately one hour.
How do I know that I need to clean my teeth?
You may need to schedule your next cleaning session, if you meet any of the following parameters:
You have active periodontal diseases or are prone to manifest them; in which case, the frequency of application of a prophylaxis is considerably increased compared to other patients.
You suffer from bad breath (halitosis), a bad taste in your mouth and / or stains on your teeth.
If you have inflammation of the gums.
During adolescence; since hormonal changes take place that cause different alterations in your mouth.
If you use any type of orthodontics (especially Brackets); It is advisable to do a cleaning before starting the treatment, and then every 6 months.
Teeth cleaning or whitening? differences
You've probably heard it said that teeth whitening and cleaning are synonymous, when in fact they are two different oral health procedures. Here are the main differences between them:
Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning is a treatment that is applied to remove tartar and plaque accumulated on teeth. Among its main characteristics, the following stand out:
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- Avoid gum disease and dental caries.
- Reduces bad breath.
- It does not remove dental stains.
- An ultrasonic tool is used to remove tartar and plaque.
- It is performed by any dentist or dental health professional.
- Prevents dental yellowing.
- It should be done twice a year, as recommended by professionals.
Teeth whitening
On the other hand, the dental whitening procedure emphasizes the aesthetic aspect of the teeth; being some of its characteristics:
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- Removes dental stains.
- Restores the natural color of the enamel.
- It is offered for aesthetic and cosmetic purposes only.
- Increases confidence in the patient.
- It is an optional procedure.
- It is performed by dental health professionals certified in dental aesthetics.
Each treatment offers a specific objective separately, but they can be combined if the patient wishes, since both have a positive influence on the general health of their mouth.
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What happens if I don't get my teeth cleaned?
Poor dental hygiene can cause various diseases and dental problems, such as infections, gingivitis, receding gums, loss of bone mass, cardiovascular diseases, among others.
To prevent many of these conditions, it is necessary to go to the dentist at least twice a year and perform a deep dental cleaning that completely eliminates tartar and plaque.
In particular, this is a quick and simple procedure that ensures proper oral hygiene, is painless, and is not complex.
Among the main reasons why a dental cleaning should be carried out are:
Avoid bad breath. One of the most frequent causes of halitosis is poor oral hygiene; since this is associated with periodontal diseases, dirty implants, food residues between the teeth, oral carcinomas, throat infections, among others.
Prevents gingivitis. Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to teeth, creating a bacterial infection. If this is not removed, it causes loss of gum tissue that can worsen at a more advanced stage.
Avoid periodontitis. This disease is the most frequent cause of tooth loss in adults; which in turn is caused by an aggravated infection that affects the gingival tissue.
Promote good health. Recent studies have confirmed that maintaining proper oral health reduces the likelihood of heart disease and stroke.
aesthetic benefit. Although dental cleaning does not remove deep stains, it does help to soften the most superficial ones, resulting in a healthy and glowing smile.
Does dental cleaning remove cavities?
When you schedule a dental cleaning on a regular basis, you are choosing the best way to care for the good health of your mouth.
In fact, as it is the best way to remove supragingival plaque and tartar, it is also the best way to prevent caries and even reduce the bacterial load inside the mouth, favoring the treatment of deep caries.
However, there are also other treatments that help fight cavities directly and can be combined with dental cleaning; among them:
fillings A treatment that is performed when the caries has surpassed the first dental stage.
crowns. They are used when there are weakened teeth or with very extensive caries, to replace the natural crown that has been affected.
Endodontics. This treatment helps to preserve the dental piece; repairing and filling the tooth damaged by decay.
extraction. When the caries is already long-standing, it has a lot of extension in the dental piece and it is impossible to restore the tooth, it must proceed with its extraction.
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Benefits of having a Dental Cleaning
The benefits of a professional teeth cleaning include:
Prevent gum diseases.
Detect dental problems early.
Improve overall oral health.
Eliminate superficial stains and discolorations on the teeth.
Prevent the appearance of bad breath.
Save time and money in the long run by avoiding oral problems that lead to more expensive treatments.
Types of Dental Cleanings offered in Panama
Regular professional dental cleaning is essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing dental disease. It is important to note that the dentist can customize the cleaning process according to the individual needs and characteristics of each patient.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleaning is a procedure in which plaque, tartar, and stains are removed from the teeth.
This cleaning can include polishing the teeth after tartar removal, and is indicated to prevent dental disease and maintain good oral health in general.
Electric Sweepers in Panama Composites Cleaning
Although composite veneers can be cleaned with hand tools (curettes and scalers), the use of rotary instruments such as polishers and electric sweepers with special heads is highly recommended to obtain a professional finish that does not damage the veneer surface, this is something that only a professional can achieve.
Reasons to have a Professional Dental Cleaning in Panama
Some of the reasons why many people go to a dental office for a professional dental cleaning are:
Eliminate Plaque Buildup and Dental Caries
When eating, the remains of food adhere to the teeth and gums forming bacterial plaque, if this is not removed by deep dental cleaning, then it accumulates and can cause dental caries and other oral problems such as gingivitis.
Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and bone around the teeth, which can lead to gum recession, bone damage, and tooth loss. Regular professional teeth cleaning can prevent periodontal disease and, if it is already present, help stop its progression and reduce gum inflammation.