How many types of teeth cleaning are there?

Dental cleaning is a procedure through which the surface of the tooth is polished to remove deposits and slow the progression of bacterial plaque , a film made up of proteins, bacteria, cells and food debris that adhere to the surface of the teeth. teeth. Likewise, when bacterial plaque becomes calcified by remaining on the teeth for too long, it forms tartar or calculus deposits , which are also removed in dental cleaning procedures. This is done in order to prevent diseases that affect the gum such as gingivitis and in advanced cases avoid or prevent injury to the bone that supports the teeth, as in the case of periodontitis.

Depending on the needs of the patient, different types of dental cleaning can be done and several steps and the combination of more than one technique may be required in more advanced cases:

• Rotating brush cleaning: It is a very simple procedure to remove plaque with the use of a rotating brush and a special paste. It is usually done as part of the protocol for all cleanings. Also, it may be sufficient for certain patients, especially children.
• Tartrectomy: also called coronal smoothing, it consists of removing the calculus deposited on the crown of the teeth, above the level of the gum. It is usually performed with reciprocating ultrasonic instruments that eliminate the calculus through vibrations and, in particular cases, the help of hand instruments may be needed.
• Root planing: this procedure is performed when the plaque has created pockets in the gum through which the calculus is deposited on the root of the teeth, which makes it more difficult to reach and, therefore, can produce a increased irritation on the bone. It is usually done with specialized instruments called curettes, which can be inserted through the pocket formed by the plaque without damaging the gum, to clean the root of the tooth.
• Periodontal surgeries: in those circumstances in which the bone lesion is very advanced, there is tooth mobility and the stone has reached a deep position on the roots of the tooth, periodontal surgery should be considered, which consists of detaching the gum from the roots and bone through an incision to be able to access the calculus deposits more easily and thus remove them. It can be accompanied by other procedures, such as the placement of bone grafts or the removal of damaged tissues. At the end of the procedure, the gum is put back in place with the help of stitches, and the teeth are fixed to each other to favor their stability during recovery.

Dental cleaning is a procedure that is recommended for all patients , with different frequency in each case, in order to help patients maintain good oral health. People who have inadequate oral hygiene, that is, those who do not brush properly or in the recommended daily amounts, and who also discard the use of dental floss and mouthwash, are more prone to bacterial plaque remaining in the surface of the tooth and evolve and generate different problems.

The consequences of the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the teeth, as well as its calcification to form tartar, are multiple. The usual problems are gingivitis problems , which practically everyone has suffered on at least one occasion, and is characterized by bleeding from the gums spontaneously or with mild stimuli. If gingivitis progresses, it can develop into periodontitis , a condition in which the bone around the teeth begins to lose due to irritation from plaque and calculus. As a definitive consequence of this disease is the loosening and eventual loss of teeth. Another common consequence of plaque build-up is the formation of infectious processes in the gingiva.

Under certain circumstances, the accumulated tartar and the rapidity of the progression of periodontal diseases can be accelerated. The most common reason is stress , since the cells and tissues of the mouth of people under this condition have a lower capacity to respond to the irritation produced by the plaque and the calculus, which translates into a more rapid advance of the periodontal disease.

In pregnant women it is also recommended to be aware of the condition of the gums, because as a result of the hormonal changes they present, their bacterial microflora in the mouth is modified, which makes them more prone to form plaque and tartar. For this reason, under monitoring and depending on the condition, cleaning is indicated more frequently.

People who have diseases such as syndromes or diabetes are also very common to generate more stones, as well as hypertensive people who take some antihypertensive drugs such as those that block the calcium channel, for example nifedipine, these are possible conditions that require a dental cleaning.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How many types of dental cleaning are there? , we recommend that you enter our category of Teeth and mouth .