Types Of Dental Cleanings
In order for you to avoid tooth decay and gum disease, your teeth need to be cleaned regularly. Some types of dental cleanings are performed at home. Others are conducted at the office of your dentist.
Here are several types of dental cleanings and how they should be performed.
Daily Brushing
Each day, you should brush your teeth at least twice. Each session should last about two minutes and cover all available tooth surfaces.
To brush your teeth properly, you should select a toothbrush with soft bristles. The soft texture of the bristles can help prevent you from damaging the enamel of your teeth as you brush. If you still feel that you may be brushing your teeth too harshly, an electronic toothbrush may be more suitable.
Some electronic brushes shut off automatically if too much pressure is applied to the brush during its operation. In addition, automatically rotating bristles can help you clean your teeth more completely in a shorter span of time.
Once you have selected the most suitable toothbrush for your needs, you should choose a fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride in a toothpaste helps to remineralize the tooth enamel and can prevent the formation of cavities. The fluoride attracts tooth minerals that have been dissolved by bacterial acids back to the teeth. As the fluoride mixes with the displaced minerals, a new type of tooth enamel forms. The new enamel is less susceptible to decay.
Regular Flossing
Flossing can be conducted using string floss or an oral irrigator and should occur at least once daily. String floss should be inserted between the teeth and moved about to remove plaque and food particles, which a toothbrush is unlikely to reach.
An oral irrigator is a great option for people who find it difficult to navigate the floss through the teeth properly. Instead of using string to clean the teeth, an oral irrigator uses a directed stream of water to dislodge plaque and debris.
The force of the water and the pattern of the water flow can often be adjusted to meet the needs and preferences of the patient.
Professional Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings are performed in a dental office. The dentist scrapes tartar accumulations from the teeth using a scaler. The tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush.
If your mouth is relatively healthy, your teeth should be professionally cleaned at least twice a year. However, if you suffer from periodontal disease or have another oral health concern, your teeth may need to be cleaned more often.
If you have not had your teeth cleaned in the past six months, contact the office of a dentist in your area, like Pinon Hills Dental, to schedule an appointment.