Cleaning and Deep Teeth Cleaning- Ask About It!

Happy Holidays to you all from Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic. Things are moving over here at CF Chinook Centre, shopping, friends meeting up and of course the kids coming to see Santa. We are also keeping  busy in our Chinook Mall Office getting all our patients looking and feeling good with healthy bright smiles. It’s not always on the top of your list during this hustling time of year to come in and see your dentist. We think it’s a great time though! Sometimes in these cooler months it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. You are not outdoors as often, fresh fruits and vegetables are not in season. What a great thing to do for yourself to come in for a teeth cleaning and scaling. 

Is Dental Cleaning Really Necessary?

Yes, absolutely!  On top of removing plaque, during a professional clean dentists will also scale your teeth, which is the removal of calculus, the hardened plaque that often builds up behind the lower teeth and in other areas. As calculus cannot be cleaned with a toothbrush, it should be removed by your dentist on a regular basis to assist gum health. Brushing twice per day and flossing does a lot for your teeth. The brushing process scrapes debris from the surface, while fluoridated toothpaste helps to keep your teeth white. These are healthy habits that lead to great smile but only half the solution. The other half involves you in the dentist chair for your bi annual check up and cleanings.

Deep Cleaning

What is Root Scaling and Planing?

Dental scaling involves removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and tartar deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Your teeth are continually bathed in saliva which contains calcium and other substances which help strengthen and protect the teeth. While this is a good thing, it also means that we tend to get a build-up of calcium deposits on the teeth. This chalky substance will eventually build up over time, like limescale in a pipe or kettle. Usually it is tooth colored and can easily be mistaken as part of the teeth, but it also can vary from brown to black in color. It is recommended that scaling be done every 6 months to keep the tartar levels under control. There may be a need for more frequent scaling in severe cases of gum disease. This procedure is usually done by a hygienist in a visit or two.

If you have gum disease, you have calculus and tartar below the gum line, and that means you’ve not had a dental cleaning frequently enough. the tartar that’s building up above the gum line is slowly creeping down past the gum line. so, the gum doesn’t quite attach to the tooth directly. In addition to scaling, root planing as the name implies actually involves physically planing the roots. This procedure removes subgingival (sub-beneath, gingival-gums) calculus, bacteria, and toxins ingrained into the root surfaces allowing the periodontal (gum) tissues to heal. Before carrying out treatment, the dentist will use a periodontal probe and take radio graphs to confirm the severity of gum disease. The dentist will also let the involved area be numbed by using anesthesia to reduce discomfort during treatment. Instruments called curettes or ultrasonic cleaners will be used to remove the plaque and calculus on root surface in the periodontal pocket.

If needed, the dentist may perform periodontal surgery that flips the gum, exposing the root surface. Then the dentist can clean the root surface with direct vision.

Things to note after root planing procedure

• In the first few days after root planing, it is common to have mild discomfort and mild bleeding from the gum. Keep on good oral hygiene, and the discomfort and bleeding will subside eventually. The gum will become healthy again.
• Good oral hygiene is essential for gum healing after root planing. Proper daily oral care should be performed which includes brushing the teeth thoroughly twice daily, and using floss or inter dental brush to clean adjacent tooth surfaces. Smoking will adversely affect the recovery from gum disease, so quitting highly recommended.
• The entire course of treatment on gum disease usually involves multiple appointments, remember to follow the schedule of appointments and to keep regular dental check-up.

Our first priority at Chinook Mall Dental Clinic has always been to keep your smile as healthy as it can be while also educating you. We take pride in our relationships with our patients and value them. We wish you safety, comfort and joy this season. And look forward to seeing you for your biannual check up and cleaning!