Dental cleaning in Panama
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Dental cleanings are an important part of your oral care routine. Cleanings are performed by a dental professional who is trained to remove tartar and plaque that are impossible to address on your own.
What Happens at a Dental Cleaning?
A cleaning goes above and beyond the capabilities of simple brushing and flossing. Cleaning begins by using special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from all the surfaces of your teeth. The team at Dental One then floss between your teeth to clean surfaces that cannot be reached by our instruments.
Polishing, which takes place near the end of your appointment, will create a smooth, clean finish.
Having your teeth cleaned is frequently painless and non-invasive. Anaesthesia is usually not required, and the entire process can be performed relatively quickly based on the amount of plaque build-up involved. In some cases with severe accumulation of calculus and plaque, a second session may be required.
A dental cleaning is also the perfect time for your dentist to check for signs of cavities, gum disease or other issues that could be impacting your health.
In addition to preventing tooth decay and other oral issues, additional benefits of getting your teeth cleaned include gaining a brighter smile. This is because routine cleanings may remove stains that discolour your teeth. Cleanings can also remove some food particles that contribute to bad breath.
Some people are concerned that dental cleanings will damage the enamel, or the thin outer covering of the tooth; even though the enamel is thin, your teeth cleaning and/or whitening cannot break down the enamel with simple dental tools.
What happens if you do not have regular dental cleaning?
The following problems can occur if you do not have regular dental cleaning:
- Cavities: decayed areas of your teeth that result from tartar and plaque build-up
- Gum disease: when tartar and plaque build-up irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed, bleeding and red
- Bad breath: bacteria and food particles can lead to halitosis or chronic bad breath
- Tooth loss: gum infection damages the soft tissue and destroys the bones that support your teeth
What is the difference between a routine dental cleaning and a deep cleaning?
Both, routine and deep dental cleanings, have one primary goal: To remove plaque and tartar deposits that can cause gum disease and other oral health problems. But beyond that, the two procedures are a lot different.
Routine dental cleanings
This is the type of cleaning you get when you visit Dental One for your regular four to six months-check-up. During a routine dental cleaning, your hygienist uses special tools to remove sticky plaque and hard tartar deposits from the surfaces of your teeth above your gums. These cleanings are very important for preventing gum disease and even for treating very mild forms of the disease.
Deep Dental Cleanings
Deep dental cleanings provide your teeth with a deep cleaning, using special techniques to get rid of plaque, tartar and bacteria below the gum line and all the way down to your tooth roots. The bacteria that cause gum disease love to hide in hard tartar deposits on the surfaces of your teeth that are protected by your gums. As the bacteria multiply and grow, they release toxins that irritate your gums and the supporting bone.
Because it goes below your gum line, deep dental cleaning uses local anaesthetics to numb your gums or, if your gums are very sensitive or you’re anxious, sedation might be used to keep you calm and comfortable.
What to expect during a teeth cleaning?
A teeth cleaning performed by a dental hygienist or other dental professional is a 30 to 60 minute procedure that is important for keeping the gums and teeth clean.
Teeth and gum examination
Before beginning the cleaning process, the professional uses a small mirror to check the patient’s mouth for any signs of oral problems, such as inflamed gums, plaque and tartar build-up, or dark spots on the teeth. If more serious issues such as cavities or gum disease are found, the professional will recommend a more thorough examination.
Scaling
Using a small tool called a scaler, the professional removes any plaque and tartar from the surface of teeth, near the gum line and in between the teeth. Depending on how much build-up is present, either a manual or ultrasonic scaler is used. A manual scaler feels like scraping on the teeth while the ultrasonic scaler uses gentle vibration and water for removing large deposits. Also, combination of both is the most common technique.
Polishing and flossing
Next, the professional polishes the teeth and removes any stains using a handheld electric tool with a rubber prophy cup attached and a gritty toothpaste called prophylaxis paste. Patients can expect to feel a slow grinding motion on the teeth during this step in the process. The professional then flosses the patient’s teeth to remove any remaining plaque and paste.
Frequently asked questions about Dental Cleaning in Panama
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
While most patients experience minimal pain and discomfort when getting their teeth cleaned, there are several factors that can make the process more painful:
- Dental sensitivity due to inflammation, gum disease or tooth decay
- Long periods of time between cleanings
- Jaw pain due to temporomandibular disorders
How often are dental cleanings necessary?
General guidelines state that patients should make an appointment for a professional dental cleaning at Dental One every four to six months. While this is ideal for most people, some will need to come in every two or three months.
What does a professional dental cleaning include? This procedure involves not only the removal of plaque and tartar using specialized tools but also polishing the teeth to eliminate surface stains and, in some cases, applying a fluoride treatment. The cleaning helps keep the gums healthy, which is crucial for preventing gingivitis and periodontitis—conditions that, if left untreated, can lead to more severe problems and tooth loss.
What care should I take after a dental cleaning? After the procedure, it is normal to experience some sensitivity for a day or two. It is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine, which includes regular brushing, flossing, and using a dentist-recommended mouthwash. Additionally, avoiding foods and drinks that stain the teeth, such as coffee and red wine, helps prolong the benefits of the cleaning.
