Professional dental hygiene is a very important dental prophylaxis work to prevent many dental problems. It is a painless procedure, with immediate visible effects and it is recommended to be performed every 6 months in the dental office.

Sanitation and descaling should be a routine dental procedure, given that plaque deposits and tartar buildup are inevitable, no matter how much you take care of your teeth, no matter how well you brush your teeth and no matter how good you are. you sanitize at home, you fail to penetrate some difficult areas, where only the dentist succeeds with special tools.

By sanitization we mean the removal of deposited tartar both superficial and subgingival, but also the removal of bacterial plaque. It also includes sanitizing the cleaning of stains, brown spots caused by foods such as those caused by coffee, tobacco, red wine or currants, which is done through the air flow procedure. This procedure is most often applied to patients who do not have tartar or immediately after descaling.

What is tartar and how many kinds is it?

Dental tartar is an orangano-mineral composition resulting from the mineralization of bacterial plaque, which is deposited on the surface of the teeth or on prosthetic works, orthodontic appliances. The rate of tartar formation is different for each person and depends on several factors, such as: diet, tooth position, oral hygiene. The inner area of the front teeth is usually the most affected.

Tartar is an extremely important factor in the appearance of gingival inflammation which, if ignored, generates in time diseases of the periodontium, ie of the tissues that support and surround the tooth.

Through the action of enzymes and bacteria in the oral cavity, products are formed that act on the teeth and gums, causing a series of problems:

• gingivitis
• dental caries
• bad breath (halena)
• periodontal pockets
• destruction of periodontal ligaments and finally mobility and loss of the tooth on the arch.

The deposited tartar is different in the supragingival and subgingival area.

• Supragingival tartar is also called salivary tartar and is an organo-mineral, yellow deposit that dissociates quite easily. Its deposition can slow down (but cannot stop) if the teeth are cleaned regularly and rigorously. The lower teeth have much more tartar deposits, because the sublingual saliva is richer in calcium and stagnates more in the same place.
• Subgingival tartar, also called serum tartar, is a darker color, brown to black, which is very difficult to dislodge. This type of tartar must be cleaned in the dental office to prevent the development of periodontal disease.

The home sanitation ritual should include, in addition to gentle but rigorous brushing, the use of mouthwash, floss and / or mouthwash. Studies have shown that mouth showers / irrigators are more effective in preventing and treating gingivitis than flossing, which may be due to the ability of irrigators to penetrate below the gum line and provide more complete cleaning around the tooth. Regular use reduces gingival bleeding and promotes interdental hygiene.

Platinum Tip -> for optimal results, put 1-2 caps of mouthwash and warm water in the mouth shower tank

The professional sanitation package consists of three steps:

1.What happens during a descaling?

The dentist uses a tool called a curette or scaler to clean plaque and tartar around the gum line as well as between the teeth. He will also use the mirror to visualize hard to reach places and to make sure that every particle is well cleaned. In most cases, the dentist will use an ultrasound device that is more efficient and faster than the manual procedure. During treatment you may hear a strange, creaking sound, you may feel scratches or tenderness, but these things are completely normal.

• Manual descaling subgingival is a bleeding procedure and is performed with universal or special curettage for descaling. With mild local anesthesia this procedure is painless, but can take quite a long time, depending on the dexterity of the dentist. This procedure is unnecessary if the patient has periodontal pockets, and it is desired to stop the evolution of the disease.
• Ultrasonic Descaling is a painless procedure, which is generally used for supragingival tartar but not only and must be completed by manual.

Platinum Dental Center specialists perform ultrasound scaling in most cases, because it is more effective and better tolerated by patients, including those with periodontitis or hemophilia or diabetes. At the same time, it is less traumatic for dental structures than manual. This procedure removes plaque and tartar not only from the surface of the teeth, but also from the gums by stimulating blood circulation and tissue regeneration at this level. Ultrasound is a very high frequency mechanical vibration (25,000 - 42,000 Hz), which is not perceived by the human ear and which breaks the deposits of tartar, and the applied water jet removes these debris.

2. Why is professional brushing important?

Professional brushing is done with a hand piece, using a rotating toothbrush and a professional toothpaste, more abrasive than the ones we use at home. The goal is to remove food debris and tooth stains, including from hard-to-reach areas at home with a toothbrush. Professional brushing is also performed before teeth whitening, the application of a fixed dental appliance, with brackets or before the teeth are sealed in children and adolescents.

3. What is air flow and when is it used?

The specialists in our clinic perform the air flow procedure with a device called AquaCare, the latest innovation in dental prophylaxis. With this device, the doctor sprays a mixture of air, AquaSol liquid and a special powder, carefully chosen by the dentist, on your teeth, without touching the surface of the tooth or the oral cavity. This is how we promote the concept contactless dentistry - that is, dental procedures without contact - by which we consider the protection and safety of the patient. The dentist, by using various powders - baking soda, bioglass, aluminum oxide - can use the device to texture the tooth surface in order to improve the adhesion of other materials, or to polish, desensitize and remineralize the teeth or can perform prophylactic treatments. . Cracks can be cleaned and cavities can be removed - in many cases, without the need for a cutter or needle. More information and videos about this device can be found by accessing this link

Air-flow treatment can also be applied as a conditioner for a mouth cleaning and freshness, before the application of the orthodontic appliance, but also during its wearing. Prophylactic air-flow treatment stops gingival bleeding and gum color returns to normal.

A sanitation and descaling session lasts about 30 minutes, and after that your teeth will have a whiter and brighter look and you will feel smooth, fine and with a pleasant freshness.

Prevention is very important for both adults and children, so take care of your oral health. Do not neglect the brushing at home, but also the professional brushing and regular checks. It is much better, more efficient and cheaper to prevent than to treat, so it's worth giving this activity 2 × 30 minutes in a year. If you want to schedule a professional scaling, you can do this link.