Author: Michelle

Cleaning Between Your Teeth Just Got Easier!

You hate to floss, I get it. Most people do. Who wants to stick their hands inside of their mouths anyway?

Science now proves that water flossing is twice as effective as string floss. Wohoo!

When it comes to preventing cavities, gum disease and bad breath, you already know how important it is to clean the spaces between your teeth.

You need an effective product that does the job in the most convenient and efficient manner.

I will describe the Waterpik Water Flosser and provide you with the 3 best choices.

As a dental hygienist, I will inform you of the models and features you need to consider when making the best purchase.

What Is a Waterpik?

A Waterpik is a brand of oral irrigator that produces a wide range of water flossers.

Water flossers are used to remove plaque, biofilm and food debris by directing a forced spray of water between your teeth and along your gumline.

The Waterpik is the most widely known and popular brand of water flosser.

It is accepted by the ADA (American Dental Association) and is the first in its class to have this honor.

The ADA only awards these products with a seal of acceptance if it is proven to be safe and effective at removing plaque and preventing and reducing gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

You can learn more about the ADA seal of acceptance for Waterpik water flossers.
Oral irrigators like the Waterpik create a pulsating action.

This is a compression and decompression type of action that gets into the spaces between your teeth and gums.

This pulsating action reaches deep into these spaces up to 6mm where traditional floss only reaches 2-3mm.

A Waterpik will produce a hydraulic force with 1,200 pulsations per minute which forces out the plaque.

This is a superior to flossing as floss can’t effectively reach these areas.

Learn more about how a Waterpik works here from Wikipedia.

People Do Not Enjoy Flossing

Clinical studies show that flossing helps clean between your teeth.

Flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums by preventing cavities, gum disease and bad breath.

However, only half of people floss daily and about one in every five people report not flossing at all.

Flossing requires skill to be effective and most people do not feel they have the dexterity to do it properly.
As a dental hygienist I hear my patients complain all day long that they “don’t like to floss!”.

Using an oral irrigator requires less manual dexterity.

It only takes a minute to clean your whole entire mouth.

All you need is water beyond your initial investment and it is appropriate for people of any age.

With supervision children as young as 6 can easily use a Waterpik.

Research shows that water flossing is a better option than traditional flossing.

Waterpik Gives a Better Option

An oral irrigator reaches areas floss cannot.

These areas include periodontal pockets (pockets around your teeth and gums) from gum disease, areas around braces, under bridges and around implants to name a few.

The flow of water gently and effectively removes plaque and food debris better than floss.

The Waterpik is 51% more effective at reducing inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).

It is twice as effective as floss at reducing bleeding gums and 29% more effective at removing plaque.

For those who have braces, the Waterpik provides three times the reduction of plaque vs string floss and a manual brush.

Keeping braces clean is super challenging and this product is highly recommended by orthodontists.

Lot’s of Styles to Chose From

On the market there are many products to choose from but the Waterpik brand of oral irrigators is the most recommended by dentists and hygienists.

Waterpik water flossers have a long history of durable and reliable products.

9 out of 10 dental professionals recommend the water flosser from Waterpik over any other water flosser brand.

Waterpik has more research than any other brand and is known for its quality and performance.

This company has been the leader in the industry since 1962 and their products are recognized for their award-winning technology and designs.

Waterpik has many styles to choose from depending on your needs.

I will describe the best version of a counter top model. If you have a place on your counter top, this model with a reservoir may be right for you. This can become a permanent fixture on your bathroom sink.

If you prefer, there is a model that combines the brushing and flossing procedure in one easy to use product. This allows for one product versus two separate units.
If portability is your main concern, Waterpik has a superior version of a cordless model that does not require electricity.

Let’s look at the highest rated counter top water flosser first….

Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

The Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser is the most advanced professional model available today.

It includes pulse-modulation technology for enhanced plaque removal and maximum gum stimulation for improved gum health.

This product is essential for removing debris and plaque deep below the gumline and between the teeth where traditional floss cannot reach.

The Aquarius has two modes- Floss Mode and Hydro-Pulse Massage Mode.

The pressure is between 10 to 100 PSI creating up to 1400 pulses per minute.

It contains a reservoir with a 90-second water capacity and an advanced pressure control system with 10 settings.

This model includes 7 tips and there is a built in 1-minute timer. The tips rotate 360 degrees for better access to hard to reach back areas.

In addition, this model carries the ADA seal of acceptance and comes with a 3-year warranty.

You can get the best price for the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser on Amazon.

Next, I will describe the best combination product of an electric toothbrush and a water flosser….

Waterpik Sonic-Fusion

Some styles include an electric toothbrush which is very beneficial.

The option including an electric toothbrush gives you a superior clean. Electric toothbrushes clean better by giving you more effective brush strokes.

You will get 30,000 to 50,000 brush strokes per minute compared to the average 500 brush strokes per minute with a manual version in addition to the water flossing benefit.

Electric toothbrush versions also give you a built in timer for 2 minutes. This allows you to brush for a full two minutes, the recommended time it takes to be effective.
Waterpik Sonic-Fusion combines the proven effectiveness of the Waterpik Water Flosser with the power of an advanced sonic toothbrush.
Learn about the effectiveness of sonic waves for teeth cleansing here from Wikipedia.

The head of the toothbrush contains a built-in water flosser tip.

This allows a pulsating water spray to be used in combination with the sonic vibration of the toothbrush.

The Waterpik Sonic-Fusion is a device that provides both brushing and water flossing at the same time.

There are settings up to 10 to allow the water pressure to be customized for comfort and the intensity of the clean desired.

The device comes with a timer to allow for a full 2 minutes of brushing.

This timer has a built in pacer to notify when each 30 seconds has passed.

A reservoir holds the water and can be used with an antimicrobial mouthwash if desired and the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion comes with two patented water flossing brush heads.

Waterpik explains that the sonic toothbrush cleans the tooth surfaces while the water flosser jet focuses on the spaces between the teeth and below the gumline.

The product features three modes of action: brush, floss and brush + floss.

Research shows it removes 99.9% of plaque from treated areas.

It is up to 50% more effective than regular floss for improving gum health and up to twice as effective as traditional brushing and flossing.

This product is ideal for the person who wants to save time and who also wants to improve their oral health.
The Waterpik Sonic-Fusion is also ideal for anyone with crowns, bridges or implants. Read a full review of this product.

The pulsating water spray along with the sonic toothbrush effectively reaches these notoriously hard to reach areas.

You will be protecting the investment you have made in your dental work by using this unique product.

Orthodontic patients will truly benefit from this innovative technology as plaque and bacteria cannot hide from the combination of the sonic wave plus pulsating water flossing spray.

People who suffer from decay (cavities) or periodontal disease (gum disease) will find this product greatly improves oral health by reducing and eliminating bacteria from the in between areas of the teeth and under the gumline.

These areas harbor the majority of the bacteria in the mouth and are easily accessed by the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion.

Save Time…Brush and Floss Simultaneously!

Now you can use a one step oral care regimen for your oral health. No longer do you have to commit to the separate and additional step of flossing.

It can now be done within the same 2 minutes that it takes to use your toothbrush.

This product also comes with a limited 3-year warranty and is endorsed with the ADA seal of acceptance.

I invite you to try this highly recommended product for yourself. Click here to go to Amazon and get yours.

Finally, I will discuss the best choice of a water flosser that is portable…..

Waterpik Cordless Freedom Water Flosser (Oral Irrigator)

This model from Waterpik is a great option if you are looking for an oral irrigator that is portable.

The Waterpik Cordless Freedom is a water flosser that can be used in small spaces as it does not require much space.

It runs on batteries so there is no need to have an outlet nearby. The batteries included are 3 AA batteries and will provide you with 2 months worth of power with regular use.

Many people enjoy this model as it is waterproof and can be used in the shower.

The Waterpik Cordless Freedom Water Flosser has 2 modes of action, a travel case and 3 different tips.

Like the other water flossers from Waterpik mentioned previously, this model is also accepted by the ADA.

This product is highly rated for its ease in use. Simply fill the reservoir, aim between the teeth and floss.

You can use warm water in the reservoir if your teeth are sensitive. Another option for all Waterpik water flossers is to use an antimicrobial mouthwash in the reservoir.

This allows you to deliver an antimicrobial between the teeth, under the gumline and other hard to reach areas.

There is also a version of this product that can be recharged using an electrical outlet. The battery in this version will last longer than the disposable batteries.

You can get the Waterpik Cordless Freedom Water Flosser for the best price on Amazon.

Waterpik Water Flosser- Your Flossing Alternative!

It is important to note that you do not need to clean all of your teeth…only the ones you wish to keep!

Because many people struggle with traditional flossing, Waterpik has given them a better option to do this.

Waterpik water flossing is an easy swap for the much dreaded act of flossing.

Depending on your needs, the 3 best choices include the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser, the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion and the Waterpik Cordless Freedom Water Flosser.

The results are astounding!  As a dental hygienist, I can tell you that these Waterpik products have shown the most dramatic and extreme positive outcomes in oral health.

Please feel free to leave any questions or comments concerning your own personal experience with Waterpik water flosser products.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information that I provide on this website is not intended to take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Care and investigation should always be sought from an appropriate health care provider. I have created this site as a way to share information and experiences.

Your teeth are amazingly clean. You do everything right to keep them clean. OR SO YOU THINK!

Your gums have receded and are exposing the sensitive root area along the gumline.

You may not have gum disease but YOU COULD HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

In this article you will learn all about receding of gums- symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention.

You need to know why this condition is just as alarming as gum disease is.

I am a Dental Hygienist and see more patients daily with this issue than any other issue.

I want to inform everyone about receding of gums so you can deal with this condition as soon as possible.

What Does It Mean To Have Receding of Gums?

Receding of gums is also known as gingival recession or gum recession. Basically what this means is exactly what it sounds like.

Your gums have receded (or shrunk away) from your tooth. This exposes the sensitive and cavity prone root area of the tooth.

Wikipedia describes it as “the exposure in the roots of the teeth caused by a loss of gum tissue and/or retraction of the gingival margin from the crown of the teeth.”

This is a common problem for many people and may or may not be related to gum disease. I will explain more about this shortly.

What Are The Symptoms of Receding Gums?

• Sensitive teeth to temperature– Your teeth have become bothered by temperature changes. These include extreme hot or cold foods and drinks. This could also include breathing in cold air.
• Sensitive teeth to touch– You get a sharp shooting “zing” or sensation of pain when touching your teeth along the gumline when brushing. Both of these sensitivities are due to the exposed dentin of the root. The root has tiny tubules that lead to the nerve of the tooth. When the root is exposed, these tubules transmit the sensitivity directly to the nerve of the tooth.
• Noticeable darkness or yellowing color along gums– The teeth appear darker along the gumline when the root is showing. This is because the root portion is covered in a material called cementum which is much darker than the white crown of the tooth.
• Notches or grooves worn along gumline– Wear facets or grooves can be etched into the teeth from overbrushing causing the gumline to recede.
• Teeth look longer– Your teeth will look longer if the roots are visible and exposed. This may give you the appearance of being “long in the tooth”.
• Teeth are loose– Mobility of teeth occurs because there is a loss of attachment holding the teeth in place.
• More space between teeth– When gums pull away from the teeth it appears as if there is more room between them.
• Gum Disease– You may notice red, puffy, swollen gums that bleed easily if gum recession involves gum disease.

Causes of Receding Gums

Now you know what gum recession looks like but what caused it in the first place?

You will be shocked to know that more often than not, gum recession is caused by overbrushing.

Yes, that is right, you are more likely to have receding gums if you are an aggressive brusher or someone who over brushes their teeth than someone who has poor gum health due to lack of good brushing habits.

How can this be? The gumline is a very delicate area and it truly does not take much pressure or aggressiveness to remove the soft, sticky bacterial plaque hiding underneath and along the gumline.

The gumline is the most common area for disease causing plaque to hide so it is important to thoroughly brush this area.

However, most people apply way too much pressure with their toothbrush and maintain a scrubbing type of motion when doing so.

This will ultimately cause the gumline to pull away from the tooth exposing the sensitive root area.

Using too stiff of a bristle on your toothbrush will cause the gums to prematurely recede.

Always stick with the softest bristled brush available (ideally an extra soft).

Using an electric toothbrush will greatly reduce the progression of recession and I will discuss the best options shortly.

Another very common cause of gum recession is from teeth that are crooked or misaligned. The Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics explains why gingival recession occurs because of this.

When teeth are not correctly positioned in the jawbone, gingival recession is more likely due to lack of supporting jaw bone.

When you clench or grind your teeth, you are more likely to form V-shaped recessed areas along the gumline. These areas are known as abfractions.

When you clench or grind your teeth at night, you are placing excessive and dangerous force on your teeth and their supporting structures in the jaw.

Grinding your teeth can cause the tooth structure along the gumline to chip away due to the excessive force of the clenching and grinding motion.

This, in turn, will cause the gumline to slowly pull away from the teeth exposing the underlying root area. It is important to prevent abfraction areas along the gumline from occurring in the first place. I will discuss how to prevent receding gums due to abfractions in the prevention section of this article.

Gums can also recede due to lack of good home care. With poor plaque control, gum disease can occur. With the build up of plaque and tartar along the gumline, the gums will have a natural tendency to shrink away from the tooth.

The gum is designed to fit like a collar around the tooth. With gum disease, spaces called pockets form around the tooth structure. This causes a progressing loss of attachment of the gum to the tooth.

There are other factors that can cause gums to recede as well. These include piercings such as lip rings or tongue rings.

Local irritants such as chewing tobacco will also cause the gums to recede away from the tooth.

Hereditary factors also come into play. Some people are born with weaker gum tissue and are prone to this situation occurring.

Treatment for Receding Gums

If the underlying cause of recession of gums is not treated, it is possible to lose your teeth if too much recession occurs.

Procedures carried out by a specialist called a periodontist can successfully treat areas of excessive recession.

It is not always necessary to have treatment for receding gums.

Depending on the severity of your case, it may be fine to monitor these areas for changes and symptoms in the future.

After treating the underlying causes, it may be enough to watch these areas without having to correct the amount of recession that has occurred.

Oftentimes, being aware of these areas is all that is needed so that further recession does not occur.

If you have had any areas of recession of your gums, you are more prone to further damage in the future.

That is why it is important to read the following section on prevention of receding gums.

If the amount of recession is minor, you can treat areas of sensitivity by using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

These products are very effective at blocking the tubules on the root of the tooth that lead to the nerve.

The product below uses the latest technology to give you relief in as little as 3 days. You can order it from Amazon.

The active ingredient in sensitive toothpaste will fill in these tiny openings on the root so the sensation of pain is not felt.

Using a fluoride rinse or a high fluoride toothpaste will also help to desensitize areas of recession in much the same way.

If the amount of root exposure and loss of attachment is severe, it warrants a visit to the periodontist.

You will be given a referral from your general dentist to this specialist. The periodontist will discuss all your options with you on how to treat your condition.

A soft tissue graft is most commonly done to repair the area. This is where a piece of tissue from another part of your mouth (usually the roof of your mouth) is removed and repositioned in the area of recession to cover the exposed root.

There is another common treatment procedure that is gaining popularity these days.

This is called the pinhole surgical technique. This procedure is also done by a periodontist and involves placing a small (pinhole size) hole in your gums.

Specially designed instruments will loosen and guide your tissue over the receded part of the tooth.

This method is becoming popular because it does not require cutting or stitches and healing time is greatly reduced. Learn more about the pinhole surgery technique here.

This technique is minimally invasive and there is a decrease in postoperative pain and complications compared with the traditional soft tissue graft method.

You should have the discussion with your dentist which procedure may be right for you.

Like I mentioned earlier, it may be enough to monitor your progression without having to have a corrective procedure done.

This would mean you would need to prevent the underlying cause of the recession in the first place. Treating the underlying cause of recession brings us to our next section….

Prevention of Receding Gums

If the cause of your receding gums is because of clenching and grinding, you will need to invest in a night guard or mouth guard.

This will prevent abfractions (“V” shaped notches in your gumline exposing the root) from occurring along the gumline.

A night guard will help to keep your teeth slightly separated at night when you may be subconsciously clenching and grinding your teeth.

You can purchase a night guard over the counter at your local drugstore or have a custom-made mouth guard made at your dental office.

Another effective and affordable option would be to purchase one online that can be custom fit by sending in impressions sent to you from the company.A custom fit mouth guard ordered online is made from impressions and will give you the best protection.

If your receding gums are caused from overbrushing or too much pressure when brushing, your dentist will advise you to invest in an electric toothbrush.

It is wise to purchase one with a built in timer which makes it easy to brush for the dentist recommended two minutes.

Another feature which will help prevent recession, is the built in pressure sensor. This alerts you if you are using too much force.

Gentle pressure is all that is necessary to remove the soft sticky bacterial plaque and food debris from your teeth.

Make sure to look for the ADA seal of acceptance when purchasing an electric toothbrush.

You can read this article on electric toothbrushes for your best options.

Another way to prevent recession of the gumline is to prevent gum disease.

By keeping your teeth and gums as clean as possible you will be improving their health.

This reduces the chance that bacterial plaque will cause destruction of your gums.

Learn about gum disease and ways to prevent it in the article: “Gum Disease and Treatment- You Have It Now What?”

An oral irrigator can be a wise investment that will help prevent gum disease. It will help you remove twice as much bacterial plaque from between your teeth than flossing can.

Final Thoughts on Receding of Gums

You now know everything you need to know about receding of gums.

This includes symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention.

Not everyone will need treatment for their receding gums. If you have receding gums, it is advised that you visit your dentist for an evaluation.

You and your dental professional can discuss what treatment, if any will be necessary.

Following the information in this article will help manage and prevent further recession.

You need to know that if you have receding gums, you are not alone. However, you should not ignore this condition.

It can progress to a point where surgery is your only alternative.

Here’s to you and your healthy smile. Please feel free to leave a comment or question below and I would be happy to respond.

As a dental hygienist, I know many people have wondered what a teeth cleaning is.

Have you been putting off this procedure?

Afraid of what might happen during your visit?

I am here to explain everything you can expect from this routine dental visit.

Oftentimes, people avoid going to the dentist simply because they are uncertain of what to expect.

Or maybe you are familiar with the dentist but do not understand what the procedure entails.

I want to fill you in on everything that happens during this visit to put your mind at ease as to what a teeth cleaning is.

This article will explain step by step the what, when and why of each portion of this very important visit.

I will be referring to you as the patient throughout this article.

After your teeth have been cleaned they will appear brighter and your mouth will feel fresher.

However, the reason for a teeth cleaning is not all about appearances.

More and more studies have shown the correlation between a healthy mouth and your overall health.

This means that a teeth cleaning will benefit more than just your mouth. It will benefit your whole body.

You can learn more about a teeth cleaning from Wikipedia.

Arriving To the Hygiene Appointment

When you, the patient, appears for a dental evaluation, cleaning, exam and xrays, you will be scheduled with the hygienist.

This appointment may be either a recall (returning visit) or a new patient exam.

Initially, you will fill out all registration information, insurance information and a complete medical history.

Your health history should be updated at every appointment for any changes to health, recent illnesses or surgeries and any new or different medications.

Why is this important?

The reason for this is that certain conditions or medications affect the health of the mouth and your dental professional needs to know how best to treat you.

For example, certain medications may cause inflammation and blood thinners may cause bleeding gums. Conditions such as diabetes will affect the health of your gums as well.

Also, it is important to know about any artificial joints or heart valve replacements.

Dental procedures may require antibiotics to help protect your health against infections.

Knowing your blood pressure status is also very important as dental anesthetic can affect your blood pressure.

Be sure to be complete when listing all your health conditions and medications as this will help your dentist treat you based on your specific needs.

Don’t forget to list any supplements you may be taking as well.

Most people forget that certain supplements act the same way as prescribed medications. An example of this would be fish oil which is also a blood thinner.

If you have a current medical history on file with your dentist, it is best to have this information reviewed with you and updated for any recent changes prior to your appointment.

At the Beginning of Your Appointment…

You will be greeted kindly at the beginning of your appointment and made to feel comfortable. Your hygienist will ask you if you have any concerns with your teeth or gums.

Listening to any concerns you have is very important.

Upon listening, your chief complaint can be determined as well as any other concerns.

Certain considerations and risk factors will be determined in evaluating your concerns.

Such factors may include: your age, medications, tobacco usage, stress and social and economic status.

Also, your medical history will be taken into consideration noting if there are any systemic diseases like diabetes present.

Next, an extra oral and intra oral exam are completed.

During the extra oral exam, your lymph nodes, skin, eyes, lips and jaw joint (TMJ joint) will be examined.

Any abnormalities will be noted in your chart. These abnormalities may include such things as swelling, inflammation and discoloration. The jaw joint will be examined for any unusual pain or clicking and popping noises.

For the intra oral exam, the hard and soft palate (roof of your mouth), tongue, cheeks and throat are examined.

This is an oral cancer screening and you will be notified of any suspicious areas that may need further evaluation by your medical doctor.

The inside of your lower mouth, inside and outside of your lips, borders and underneath side of your tongue, tonsil area and back of your throat are all areas included in this exam.

The intra and extra oral exams are very important and will be done at every cleaning appointment regardless of whether you are a new or existing patient.

A Restorative Evaluation Is Next

You may wonder what this is. A restorative evaluation is an exam looking for work that needs to be done.

This would include looking for decay (cavities), broken teeth, chips, cracks or infections of existing teeth.

The hygienist will perform the initial restorative evaluation looking for anything suspicious to bring to the dentist’s attention.

A dental hygienist cannot legally diagnose any work that is needed but they can alert the patient as to areas that the dentist will need to further evaluate.

After a thorough investigation of your teeth is complete, it is time to evaluate your gum tissues.

This is called a periodontal evaluation and you will have this done at each teeth cleaning appointment.

The reason this is needed at each visit is that a lot can change with your gum tissues from one visit to the next.

Your gums will be evaluated by the dental hygienist with a small measuring device called a probe.

What the probe measures is the depth of the gum tissue in millimeters that is surrounding the teeth.

A normal healthy gum measurement would be anything 3mm or less.

Any measurement above 3mm would indicate a pocket or loss of attachment. This would be a sign of gum disease.
Your hygienist will take measurements of your whole mouth once a year and a PSR screening on 6 month evaluations. PSR stands for periodontal screening report.

There are other things your hygienist will be evaluating when checking your teeth and gums. You will also be evaluated for mobility (loose teeth), bleeding and receding gums.

Why Xrays Are Important

As part of the restorative exam, xrays will be used to evaluate any areas that cannot be seen in the mouth just by looking clinically.

What these mean are the areas underneath existing fillings, between the teeth, under the gumline, the bone structures supporting your teeth and infections of the teeth.

Learn more about the importance of dental xrays from Wikipedia.

There a different types of xrays taken by your dentist.

The bitewing xrays show decay best and are usually taken as a set of 4 xrays for an adult or a set of 2 xrays for children under the age of 12.

Children under 12 do not usually have their second or twelve year molars erupted yet so 2 xrays are adequate to see all of their teeth.

The panoramic xray is an xray of your full mouth. You will usually have this xray taken at your teeth cleaning appointment if you are a new patient or once every 5 years.

This is an xray that shows the entire jawbone, sinus area, TMJ (jaw joint), bone levels and signs of infection.

This is also used as an oral cancer screening as it shows possible cysts and tumors and oral cancerous lesions.

Ideally your dentist will want to update your xrays on a once a year basis for bitewing xrays and once every 5 years for a full mouth xray.

Your dentist will ask your permission before taking xrays.

Why Do You Need a Teeth Cleaning?

Your dental hygienist and dentist will put together a treatment plan on how your teeth should be cleaned based on the information gathered during your assessment.

Tartar forms on your teeth when dental plaque is not fully removed on a regular basis with your day to day home care routine.

Minerals in your saliva combine with the unremoved plaque to form crystals that harden into tartar.

This tartar acts as an area to trap more bacterial plaque. The plaque give off toxins which cause inflammation in the gums.

In defense to rid you of this inflammation, the bone and supporting structures of your teeth will slowly be lost.

This is considered periodontal disease or gum disease.

There are supplements to help with inflammation that your dentist may suggest to treat and prevent gum disease.

You need to have your teeth cleaned on a regular basis to remove the deposits that form above and below the gumline.

There are areas where it is impossible for you to reach with your home care routine that only your dental hygienist can remove.

Plaque and inflammation in the mouth has been shown to be correlated with many other health conditions of the body.

Ongoing research is proving the correlation between gum disease and diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, strokes, cancer and premature births to name a few.

A healthy mouth with minimal plaque, tartar and minimal inflammation will require a routine dental cleaning.

When there are signs of disease present, you may require a more in depth cleaning referred to as a “deep cleaning” or gross debridement.

A gross debridement is usually followed up by a second appointment to remove the remaining deposits from your teeth once the inflammation has subsided.

If you have gum disease present, you may require a series of appointments to completely remove all the tartar deposits completely.

This type of cleaning is called scaling and root planing and will require anesthetic or “numbing” to make you more comfortable.

What A Teeth Cleaning Is……

Another name for a teeth cleaning is a dental prophylaxis. The procedure usually takes 45 minutes. A one-hour appointment is reserved if it is your first visit.

The purpose of a teeth cleaning is a measure to preserve a healthy mouth.

A teeth cleaning is done to remove bacterial plaque (biofilm) and tartar from all surfaces of your teeth.

A routine cleaning is performed on a healthy mouth where there is no inflammation or bleeding.

If there is a heavy build up of tartar above and below your gumline, you may require a more in depth cleaning.

This type of procedure is called scaling and root planing and will be done using local anesthetic for your comfort.

Scaling and root planing is done in several visits and the purpose is to remove tartar and toxins from the roots of your teeth as well as the crown portion.

This deeper type of cleaning it done to reduce the pocket formation caused by gum disease.

When your pockets are reduced, this allows you to effectively clean your teeth and maintain gum health with your own home care techniques.

Your dental hygienist will use a series of tools and instruments to remove all deposits and stains from your teeth.

Hand instruments are used called scalers and curettes. These are sharp metal instruments that can scrape and smooth the teeth and root surfaces to remove tartar deposits.

Another tool used is called an ultrasonic scaler. This is a power driven scaler which works by supplying high-frequency vibrations to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth.

There are different types of power driven scalers but they all work in a similar way. An electromagnetic force is created in the scaler which causes the tip to vibrate at a very high pace.

These vibrations are faster than the speed of sound and they will effectively remove any plaque, tartar or stains from your teeth in a third of the time it takes to use hand instruments.

A flow of water comes through the tip to keep it cool since the high frequency vibrations create heat.

Some people prefer the use of ultrasonic scalers versus hand scalers because of their efficiency and less pressure needed to remove the deposits. Less pressure can mean better comfort.

Usually a combination of regular instruments and power driven instruments will be used during your appointment.

Polishing is done once instrumentation is complete. A medium to coarse grit polish is used for most adults whereas a fine grit polish is adequate for children.

The coarse grit polish is advised for removal of surface stains from tobacco, mineral deposits, coffee and tea.

A handpiece will be used with a disposable polishing tip that has a soft rubber cup.

This rubber cup will be positioned on all surfaces of your teeth.

The purpose of the polishing is not purely aesthetic. Polish contains fluoride and it will be incorporated into your teeth enamel with the polishing procedure. This will help to strengthen and protect your teeth from cavities.

The polishing also provides a nice smooth surface on your enamel following the scaling procedure. This makes it more difficult for bacterial plaque to reattach in the future.

Following the polishing procedure, you will have all of your teeth flossed to remove any remaining polish from between your teeth.

Fluoride varnish can be applied if you wish to further strengthen and protect your teeth.

This is a very concentrated form of 5% Sodium Fluoride and it is recommended to have this applied following the teeth cleaning procedure.

You will be instructed not to eat or drink for a period of time (usually 30 minutes) to allow it to stay on your teeth for as long as possible for better absorption.

Also, it is advised not to brush or floss for a period of 4-6 hours following application to keep the fluoride in place on your teeth.

The Most Important Part of a Teeth Cleaning…

Oral hygiene instructions are the most important part of a teeth cleaning.

Your dental hygienist and dentist will evaluate how well you are taking care of your teeth.

You will be questioned on your home care techniques and given advice on how you may improve the health of your teeth and gums.

Nutritional counseling is also a part of a teeth cleaning appointment. Soda consumption, sugar intake and acidic foods and drinks in your diet will be evaluated.

Many people are not aware of how diet and nutrition affect the health of their teeth and gums.

You will be informed of areas that need improvement and instructed on what you can do to maintain a healthy mouth.

Home care guidelines are specific for each person dependent on their teeth, dexterity and the health of their mouth.

Floss is most often recommended for the in between areas but water flossing may prove to me more effective for cleaning these areas.

Studies have shown that oral irrigators remove twice as much bacterial plaque from between your teeth as flossing does.

Some people may be instructed to use an electric toothbrush versus a manual brush.

You will find that by using an electric toothbrush you will remove much more bacterial plaque.

You might be given advice to use a product combining an electric toothbrush with an oral irrigator. This product is called SonicFusion by Waterpik.

This type of technology is at the forefront of optimal oral hygiene home care products.

The reason for this is the fact that an electric toothbrush will provide you with 30,000 to 50,000 brush strokes per minute versus the mere 500 brush strokes per minute a manual brush will provide.

Electric toothbrushes also have a built in timer to allow you to brush for the full dentist recommended 2 minute time frame.

If you have compromised saliva flow, your dental professional will console you on ways to deal with a dry mouth.

Saliva is very important for keeping our teeth healthy and a lack of saliva can create lots of problems for our teeth including increased decay (cavities).

If you have a concern about ways to whiten you teeth, your hygienist will gladly explain your best options.

A Dental Exam Is Included in the Teeth Cleaning

After your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and polished, you will be asked if you have any questions.

You can also express any concerns to your hygienist or dentist at any point during the teeth cleaning procedure.

At the end of the appointment, the dentist will provide a thorough examination. This examination will take into consideration your oral cancer screening, gum health, xrays and a clinical evaluation.

You will receive a diagnosis of the condition of your teeth and gums and what work will be needed to treat your specific condition.

This diagnosis may include cavities, broken teeth, infections, gum disease or teeth that require extractions.

You will be given a treatment plan by your dentist that will restore your mouth to optimal health.

Options for restoring teeth or replacing missing teeth with implants will be thoroughly discussed.

Also, included in the appointment are any home care tips and alternative treatments that may help you achieve optimal oral health.

Some of the latest research focuses on preventing inflammation in the mouth to prevent disease.

Another area of promising research is in dealing with your oral microbiome. Just like probiotics for the gut, there are now probiotics for the mouth.

These specific oral probiotics are designed to help treat such maladies as bad breath, cavities and gum disease.

These work by encouraging the presence of good bacteria over bad bacteria.

A recall time frame will be established as to when you should return for your next check up.

If you have a healthy mouth, it will be advised that you return for your next teeth cleaning in 6 months. Most insurance companies provide this twice yearly protocol as part of their benefits.

Having conditions like gum disease or systemic conditions like diabetes will make it important for you to have more frequent teeth cleanings. A common recall for these conditions is every 3-4 months versus every 6 months.

Insurance also recognizes the importance of more frequent cleanings and will oftentimes provide you with additional benefits.

Now You Know What A Teeth Cleaning Is

I encourage you to get to your dentist and have a teeth cleaning done.

Your dental professional will help you stay on track to the most healthy version of you!

Knowing what to expect during a dental cleaning will help you to be comfortable during your visit.

You now know each of the individual components that make up the entire procedure and are well informed on what a teeth cleaning is.

Now you are going to be prepared for your visit and you will be prepared to ask questions of your dental professional.

Do not be afraid to ask questions! Your dentist and hygienist are specially trained to be able to answer your questions and concerns.

Please feel free to ask any questions below as well.  I would be happy to help!