A bright white smile is the first thing people notice when you greet them. It is a sign of health and wealth and is associated with good oral habits. Dental cleanings are used to clean teeth and maintain oral health instead of whitening the teeth. While cleaning does help brighten the smile, if there are stains that are deep and not surface level, a normal cleaning cannot remove them.

What Is Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleaning is a procedure performed by a professional dentist that removes plaque, tartar build-up, and surface-level stains that normal brushing and flossing cannot eliminate. Dental cleaning is essential to avoid gum infections and major mouth diseases, maintaining overall oral health.

What Happens During A Dental Cleaning?

1. Scaling: The first step of dental cleaning is scaling. This step includes the removal of tartar and the plaque that has built up on the tooth.
2. Polishing: During this step, a gritty paste is used to remove the stains and smoothen out the enamel of the teeth.
3. Flossing & Rinsing: This step eliminates the debris and bacteria on and between the teeth.
4. Fluoride Treatment (Optional): The last step is a part of the teeth whitening step that is often skipped by dentists if you don’t request it specifically. This step is used to help strengthen the enamel and prevent future staining.

Can Dental Cleaning Whiten Teeth?

Yes. Dental cleaning can help whiten the teeth a couple of shades. It makes the teeth look brighter and cleaner. However, it doesn’t provide the same results as teeth whitening, as a cleaning only cleans the surface level stains. Stains like coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco are lifted as they are all surface-level. The yellowish tartar and plaque built on the teeth when not cleaned for a long time, is also cleaned. Polishing the teeth smoothes out the enamel, giving a cleaner and more even look. However, if there are stains that are deeper than the first level, cleaning them is insufficient and teeth whitening procedures are needed to remove these stains.

How To Keep Teeth Whiter After Cleaning

• Regular brushing and flossing
• Avoid stain-causing foods
• Use whitening toothpaste
• Visit your dentist regularly (at least twice a year

Conclusion

While dental cleaning significantly improves the look of your teeth, if your teeth have deeper stains or other problems, then a thorough dental appointment is needed to take care of all the ailments you might have. Book your appointment with Diamond Dental today, to get a thorough check-up.