Teeth cleaning and teeth whitening are often confused for one another. However, these are two different types of dental procedures that have different goals. Teeth cleaning focuses on the overall health of your teeth and gums, working to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the teeth. On the other hand, teeth whitening works to remove surface stains from your teeth solely for cosmetic purposes. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between teeth cleaning and teeth whitening, as well as each of their goals.
Teeth Cleaning
Professional teeth cleaning is performed by a dentist and is much different than your normal everyday cleaning of your teeth at home. The goal of teeth cleaning is to remove any plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. This helps to prevent tooth decay and avoid gum disease. It is recommended that professional teeth cleaning is done around every 6 months; however, for those who have gum infection or other oral health issues, they may need to go more often depending on their dentist’s recommendation.
During the cleaning process, your dental hygienist will use special dental instruments to scrap all of the plaque and tartar from your teeth. If plaque and tartar is not removed from your teeth, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria and acids that erode the enamel of the teeth, causing cavities to form. After scraping plaque and tartar from your teeth, they will generally use a polishing tool to remove any surface stains and any lingering plaque from the teeth.
Typically, you can expect a teeth cleaning appointment to take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount of plaque and tartar buildup you have and the amount of time between cleaning appointments.
Benefits of Teeth Cleaning
Having your teeth cleaned on a regular basis is the best way to maintain good oral health. Teeth cleaning provides several benefits, including the following:
- Prevent dental decay
- Keeps your gums and teeth healthy
- Prevents and provide relief from gum infection
- Relief from bad bread
- Detects dental problems, such as tooth decay, oral cancer, or other problems at an early stage before it progresses
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a completely different procedure than teeth cleaning. The goal of teeth whitening is to leave you with whiter and brighter teeth. Overtime, your teeth can become stained or discolored by different things, such as smoking, medications, health problems, or foods and drinks. Teeth whitening is mainly done for aesthetic and cosmetic purposes.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Although tooth whitening is not a necessity for good oral health, it does provide benefits, including:
- Boost in self-confidence
- A whiter & brighter smile
In Conclusion
Simply put – while teeth whitening is important for the aesthetics of your teeth, teeth cleaning focuses on maintaining the overall health of your gums and teeth. Teeth whitening procedures are optional, however having your teeth cleaning regularly is essential for good oral health. For more information on getting your teeth cleaned or whitened, please contact our office today! Our expert staff is looking forward to hearing your concerns and providing you with the very best treatment.
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