Published on Dec 11, 2014 and last reviewed on Sep 07, 2018 - 1 min read
Abstract
Brushing your teeth twice daily helps to remove the plaque and food particles between the teeth and helps to maintain optimal oral health.
Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of periodontal (gum) disease.
Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone. Fluoride mouth rinse is not recommended for children age six or younger because they may swallow the rinse. Consumers should always check the manufacturer's label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with their dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.
Talk to dentist what types of oral care products will be most effective for you.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed
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By cleaning your teeth, you can:
- Prevent gum diseases that lead to early loss of teeth.
- Remove stains that lead to discoloration of the teeth.
- Prevent tooth decay or caries in the tooth.
- Remove bad breath that does not go away with regular brushing.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, gently brush all over the teeth. Give small circular motion with back and forth strokes, brushing carefully and gently near the gum line areas. Use a tongue scraper or brush to clean your tongue.
The side effects of professional teeth cleaning can be:
- Sensitive teeth - This is the most common side effect of teeth cleaning, but it is temporary. When exposed to food and air, the tooth surface, which is covered by a layer of plaque or calculus, can cause sensitivity. But the people who maintain good oral hygiene will not have such sensitivity in the teeth compared to the people with poor oral hygiene.
- Sore Gums - This can cause pain and discomfort for about ten days. This can occur as a result of laser teeth cleaning techniques. When people have plague, calculus, and bacterial colonization under the gums, it needs thorough cleaning of the sub-gingival layers, and this may cause the gum to become sore.
- Swollen Gums - This can be caused due to bacterial infection in the gums, which needs to be treated with antibiotics.
- Bleeding Gums - This can be caused due to deep cleaning of the gums.
- Gaps Between the Teeth - This is also the most significant side effect of teeth cleaning. Some people may experience food accumulation between the teeth, resulting in the formation of a layer of plaque and calculus. People undergoing cleaning may get these food deposits cleaned where they will see small gaps between the teeth.
Teeth cleaning can help you to get rid of both plaque buildup and bad breath. Plaque buildup is the common cause of bad breath because it consists of smelly bacteria. Therefore, teeth cleaning can help to reduce tooth decay and bad breath caused by plaque buildup.
Dental cleaning should not be painful, but if there is pain, it usually depends on the tooth and oral condition. The pain experienced is usually gum pain due to inflammation. Therefore, you can get your inflammation level down and then receive a painless procedure. And if there is tooth sensitivity, it can be due to attrition or abrasion of the teeth. These types of issues, when experienced, can be informed to the dentist, and he or she will manage it in the dental office for you to receive a painless dental cleaning.
Yellow teeth can be changed to white quickly or gradually, depending on the methods you choose. Professional teeth whitening usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks to whiten the yellow teeth.
If you do not receive any fluoride treatment, you can eat or drink immediately after the cleaning. But avoid drinks or foods that are abrasive or acidic and eat only soft food, at room temperature for a few days to give rest to the gums and the teeth for a better result.
Teeth cleaning can prevent gum diseases, which can lead to early tooth loss. And while cleaning your teeth, the dentist can detect early signs of any decay, broken filling, or oral abnormalities, which can be treated appropriately before getting worse. Therefore, it is good to get a dental cleaning from a dentist.
There is no proof that oil pulling can whiten your teeth, but some people claim that their teeth had become white after regular oil pulling. It has other health benefits like losing weight, prevention of decay, etc. For oil pulling, put one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and then push and pull the oil in between your teeth.
The way to naturally whiten your teeth are:
- Brushing and flossing regularly.
- Practicing oil pulling.
- Using hydrogen peroxide.
- Brushing with baking soda.
- Eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Preventing tooth stains before they occur.
- Avoid drinking colored or aerated beverages.
Teeth cleaning by a dentist usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending upon the patient's oral condition. The patient will feel fresh, and the teeth will also look brighter after the teeth cleaning procedure.
Tartar is hard and cannot be removed at home. Only professional cleaning by a dentist will get rid of tartar. The following ways can prevent tartar from forming:
- Brush regularly, twice a day for at least 2 minutes.
- Use electronic or powered toothbrushes that may help you to get rid of plaque better than manual toothbrushing.
- Use tartar-controlling toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Floss regularly.
- Rinse daily after every meal.
- Watch your diet.
- Quit smoking.
Last reviewed at:
07 Sep 2018 - 1 min read
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