Tooth cleaning, technically called supragingival scaling, refers to using the scaling equipment to remove the tartar, dental plaque and teeth color stain and polish the teeth surface in order to delay the redeposition of the plaque and tartar. The dental plaque and dental calculus are the primary local simulative factors of periodontal diseases. Scaling is the most efficient method to remove the supragingival dental plaque and dental calculus.

Advantages of Tooth Cleaning

1. You can also have a check-up of your mouth thoroughly when you clean your teeth. In this way, you may find oral problems and deal with them in time.

2. Tooth Cleaning is an efficient method to prevent and treat periodontal diseases and gingivitis.

3. Tooth Cleaning is an efficient method to prevent cavities.

4. Cleaning the teeth regularly can keep a fresh breath and avoid sense of inferiority and impaired social Interaction.

Methods of Tooth Cleaning 

Ⅰ. Hand instruments scaling

The force of hand scaling is comparatively gentle. There’s no water spray so that the patient will not have the sense of discomfort. Hand scaling will also reduce the chance of cross-infection in the clinics.

Ⅱ. Ultrasonic Scaling

Ultrasonic Scaling is effective in removing calculus by crushing calculus with high vibration energy. It vibrates at high speeds, between 18,000 and 50,000Hz. There are many working heads shapes of the ultrasonic scaling device, such as pointed round and flat type, etc. 

The process of Tooth Cleaning 

Ⅰ. Disinfection

In general, at the very start of teeth cleaning, the dentist will instruct the patient to rinse the mouth with disinfectant. In this way, the quantity of the bacteria in the saliva will be efficiently lessen and thus minimize the pollution to the maximum extent.

Ⅱ. Scaling

The dentist will proceed with hand scaling or ultrasonic scaling according to the specific situation of the patients.

Ⅲ. Sandblasting

Sandblasting is using a powerful stream of aluminum oxide to clean the teeth further. The effects of removing the stains will be more obvious. If there’s no severe pigment deposition, then sandblasting is not required.

Ⅳ. Tooth polishing

Tooth polishing is like polishing with wax after the car washing. Tiny scratches are visible on the surface of the teeth after ultrasonic scaling under the microscope so that the teeth have slightly rough surfaces, which is easy to gather color stains and dental calculus. By polishing, the teeth look more brighter and the teeth surfaces will be more smoother and consequently can reduce the adhesion of plaque and pigment and the formation of dental calculus. Moreover, polishing can also reduce the teeth sensitivity.

Attentions after Tooth Cleaning 

Do not eat cold, hot, acid and sweet food in two weeks after teeth scaling. Symptoms, such as bleeding and sensitivity aches are all normal and will disappear in a week or so. Anti-sensitive toothpaste on the market can be considered if the aches persist. The sensitivity and ache symptoms will be improved after using the anti-sensitive toothpaste about a month or so.

Regular oral checkups are very important to remove calculus. If you found you have calculus, talk to your dentist and choose the most suitable method to remove them.