Teeth Cleanings, Bad Breath Cure, and Treatment

Professional dental cleaning is a must for a healthy mouth. It is a painless procedure performed by a dental hygienist in a professional dental setting. Following are the steps involved in a professional dental cleaning:

A Physical Exam

The oral cavity is carefully examined, using a small mirror to identify gum diseases and other dental issues. In the case of significant concerns, the dentist will take further preventive steps to avoid any oral condition.

Types of Dental Cleaning

Prophylaxis: In oral prophylaxis, plaque and tartar in the teeth are removed through scaling. This is done to prevent decay and other oral complications rather than for aesthetic reasons; 

Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure to treat the early stages of periodontal disease. Scaling is usually carried out to remove all the plaque and tartar present above and below the gum line, cleaning the bottom of the pocket. Root planing smoothes the roots of the teeth and reattachs gums to the teeth.

Plaque and Calculus Removal

Plaque and tartar accumulate over and in between teeth and gums and can only be removed at the dentist's office. A scaler is used to scrape off the plaque and tartar deposits from around the gum line and surface of teeth to render them squeaky clean.

No More Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning

No more gritty toothpaste, we use the "Cavitron Prophy Jet" air polishing system to remove heavy stains and plaque.

Expert Flossing

The hygienist performs expert flossing to clean the surface in between teeth deeply. The hygienist cleans even the hard-to-reach areas which are difficult to clean during a regular floss session at home.

Rinsing

The hygienist then provides a fluoride-rich liquid to rinse the mouth to remove any debris left after the preceding steps.

Applying Fluoride

The last step involved which is in professional dental cleaning is a fluoride varnish application. A layer of fluoride is painted over the surface of teeth to strengthen the enamel and protect it from wear and tear.

Cure Halitosis by Getting Rid of Bacteria

Bad breath or Halitosis is a persistent, unpleasant odor present in exhaled breath. Most of the bad breath cases are not that serious. Bad breath occurs mainly because of poor dental hygiene, dehydration, consumption of certain foods like onions or garlic, or drinking alcohol. By following the steps below, you can get rid of bad breath:

• Continue to practice a good oral hygiene routine.
• Brush twice a day using Sonicare Electric toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss between teeth using a Waterpik at least once a day.
• Use a tongue scraper and clean your tongue.
• Brush or rinse your mouth after consuming any food items.
• Quit smoking or chewing tobacco-based products.
• Stay hydrated.
• Visit your dentist regularly. While oral examination and professional teeth cleaning, our dentist will treat gum disease, dry mouth, or other problems that arise issues of bad breath.

The oral dental examination focuses on reviewing the patient's past medical records and understanding his unique oral health goals. The oral exam's highlight consists of three key processes: the X-ray examination, panoramic X-ray examination, and teeth cleaning. These together help in detecting the problems and devising an appropriate treatment plan.

What happens during an X-ray examination?

Radiograph examination identifies dental problems that are not easily identified with naked eyes during a regular oral exam. It helps in determining the following issues:

• Abscess pockets present near the tooth roots.
• Tumors and abnormal growths in the mouth, neck, or head that may indicate the presence of oral cancer
• Tooth decay present in interdental regions.
• Infection present in the pulp chamber, which causes severe gum diseases.
• Malocclusion or misalignment of the bite.
• Identify Impacted teeth.
• Evaluate the state of already existing dental restorations.   

What happens during a panoramic X-ray examination?

A panoramic X-ray examination helps in developing a wraparound digital image of the facial structure. It provides a comprehensive and thorough view through a single image. Panoramic X-rays are used to:

• Identify sinusitis.
• Examine patients suffering from gag reflex.
• Detect oral cancer.
• Evaluate the progression of jaw disorders like TMD.
• Detect abnormal growths like tumors and lesions.
• Detect the presence of impacted canines and wisdom teeth.
• Determine the presence of gum recession and bone loss in the oral cavity.
• Determine the correct development of permanent teeth and the appearance of extra or missing teeth.
• Design a treatment plan for orthodontic appliances, dentures, braces, implants, and tooth extraction.
• Create a plan for cosmetic enhancements.

What happens during a dental cleaning?

A good oral care regimen followed at home helps in keeping your teeth healthy and bright. However, professional dental cleaning is recommended twice a year. During a professional dental cleaning, plaque and tartar deposits are cleaned using a scaling instrument. The scaling tool scrapes away plaque from both above and below the gumline. Timely professional dental cleanings prevent the onset of periodontal diseases.

Historic Hyde Park Dentistry has been transforming smiles for Decades. Dr. Lori and her team use state-of-the-art technology to dental problems and reconstruct malaligned teeth to provide aesthetic and healthy smiles. For inquiries & appointments, please reach out to us at 813-253-3041.. You can also visit our office at 612 West De Leon Street, in Tampa, FL 33606.