Daily teeth brushing is the key to having a beautiful smile, but brushing alone cannot solve all problems. It is possible to brush twice a day and use high-quality toothpaste, yet there can be yellowness near the gums or pieces of food in between the teeth. It does not mean you are being negligent. 

Sometimes it is impossible to cope with certain problems without professional cleaning. The plaque is formed every day, and it can become tartar if it is not cleaned regularly. Then, a toothbrush will be unable to deal with it. If you ever wondered why professional cleaning is necessary despite regular brushing, here is an explanation for you.

What Brushing at Home Can and Cannot Do?

Everyday brushing is the core of oral hygiene. It allows cleaning away food particles, reducing plaque formation and making the mouth fresh. Besides, regular brushing promotes strong enamel, especially if it is done with fluoride toothpaste.

Brushing can effectively clean only the areas accessible for a toothbrush. The tight spaces between the teeth, crowded areas and gumline can still contain plaque. For that reason, cleaning between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes is also required.

Despite good brushing, some plaque can remain. Gradually, it turns into tartar. And, once the tartar is formed, brushing harder will not help. In fact, aggressive brushing can hurt your gums and damage your enamel. Thus, brushing is crucial, but there are some limitations.

How Plaque Turns into a Problem?

Plaque is a layer of bacteria formed on the teeth every day. It uses sugars and starches remaining on teeth after eating. The removal of plaque on a daily basis makes it easier to control. But, if it remains on teeth, it can turn into tartar, also known as calculus.

Tartar often forms in areas of the gumline and in between the teeth. It forms a rough surface for the accumulation of more plaque. It leads to redness, tenderness, swelling and bleeding of the gums during brushing and flossing.

This initial condition of the gums is called gingivitis. And, without treatment, it becomes more severe over time. Therefore, the removal of tartar is not only about making the teeth look nice. It also protects the gums.

What Professional Teeth Cleaning Consists of?

Professional teeth cleaning is aimed at eliminating plaque and tartar. First of all, the dental team checks the condition of your teeth and gums. Then, they clean the areas which are impossible to maintain at home.

Professional cleaning involves the removal of plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and the gumline. Also, cleaning can be performed around the fillings, crowns and orthodontic devices where the plaque tends to accumulate.

Polishing is another step of the procedure. It removes the stains from the surface of the teeth caused by coffee, tea, tobacco or coloured foods. As a result, teeth become brighter and smoother.

But, the cleaning procedure cannot replace whitening. Cleaning removes plaque and extrinsic stains from the surface of the teeth, while whitening changes the colour of the teeth. It is important to know the difference, as many people confuse those two procedures.

During a professional visit, the dental team also performs an examination of gums and provides personalised recommendations. It helps to improve brushing and between-teeth cleaning techniques.

What Problems Can the Dental Team Identify?

Many of the dental problems do not cause pain in the early stages. For that reason, professional examination is so valuable. A person feels good, yet he or she may have initial gum disease, minor cavities or tooth enamel wear.

During the visit, the dentist or dental hygienist can find cavities between the teeth, tooth enamel wear, signs of grinding, cracks and other early-stage dental problems. They are hard to notice in the mirror, but their timely discovery simplifies the treatment.

There are some people who need more frequent cleaning appointments. They include people with frequent tartar formation, gum problems, braces, a smoking habit or certain medical conditions. The frequency of visits should depend on the individual condition of oral health.

Conclusion

Regular brushing is obligatory. It helps to control plaque formation, remove food particles and maintain fresh breath. Professional teeth cleaning removes the tartar, polishes the teeth to make them brighter and detects early dental problems.

The best outcome can be reached through the combination of these techniques. Regular care of teeth protects them until the next visit, while professional cleaning provides deep care of the mouth. To keep the teeth cleaner, gums healthier and smile more confidently, book professional cleaning at Smile Collective!