By contactus
August 22, 2011
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Untagged

Super clean, smooth, and shiny teeth – these are what we desire to have once we step out of a dental clinic for our regular dental hygiene visit. Although we are aware of what we want to achieve, most of us are clueless about the process that makes our teeth squeaky clean. When we tell our Houston TX dentist or dental hygienist that we want “simple cleaning” what exactly does it mean?

Prophylaxis, also referred to as teeth cleaning, is a Greek term that means to prevent beforehand or to guard. In the dental profession, your teeth are cleaned by a professional to shield it from cavities and gum problems. The level of cleaning depends on the condition of your teeth and gums, normally including processes called scaling and teeth polishing.

In scaling, a special instrument is used by hand to get rid of hard deposits, bacteria, and plaque. Aside from traditional hand instruments, dentists and dental hygienists make use of ultrasonic scalers to clean the teeth’s surface and make it smooth. Scaling may be followed by polishing which eliminates plaque too and removes stain using a motorized tool, prophylaxis paste and rubber polishing cup. This process leaves your teeth sparkling.

It is important to note that polishing is done on tooth surface that is above the gum line only. Scaling and root planning, on the other hand, is for below the gum line deep cleaning and will benefit those who have periodontal diseases. Likewise, people with gum problems need another level of cleaning called periodontal maintenance.

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:





Dentist - Houston, Ellen Lim, DDS, 3700 Buffalo Speedway, Houston TX, 77098 713-850-9699